• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1999

Bacterial infection of the pulp results in the development of a periapical lesion with the concomitant resorption of periapical bone. The cytokines are believed to play an important role in this matter. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship among the presence of black pigmented bacteria, the levels of cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, -${\beta}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and TGF-${\beta}1$), and the amount of bone resorption in periapical and pulpal diseases. For the purpose, the patients were grouped into chronic apical pathosis, acute apical pathosis, acute pulpitis, and a healthy control group. Root canal samples were taken from periapical tissue exudates during routine endodontic treatment, and the venous blood was taken from each patients. The samples were processed to measure local and systemic levels of the cytokines using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Bacterial content of Porphyromonas endodontalis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella nigrescens were measured by indirect immunofluorescence method and the size of the periapical lesions were measured from the radiographs. The following results were obtained: 1. The levels of bone resorptive cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$, TNF-${\beta}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$) in exudates from acute and chronic apical pathoses were significantly higher than those from acute pulpitis and the normal pulps(p<0.05). 2. IL-$1{\beta}$ were the highest among the bone resorptive cytokines in apical pathoses. However, no statistical difference between acute and chronic lesions were found(p>0.05). 3. The levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ in exudates from acute pulpitis and chronic apical pathoses were significantly higher than those from acute apical pathoses and the normal pulps(p<0.05). However, there were no significant correlations among the levels of bone resorptive cytokines. 4. The levels of TNF-${\beta}$ in serum were significantly higher than those from the exudates while serum TGF-${\beta}1$ concentrations were significantly lower(p<0.05). 5. Exudates from the canals in which the P. nigrescens were detected showed significantly higher levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ than those from the canals without the microorganism(p<0.05). 6. There were no significant correlations among the levels of the cytokines, the amount of bone destruction, and the presence of acute and chronic symptoms(p>0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.399-408
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• 2005

In the progression of the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder(TMD), not only deformation and perforation of disc occur. But also fibrotic adhesion and inflammatory changes to the retrodiscal tissue can be seen in addition to the condylar degenerative change (e.g. osteoarthritis). However, the correct diagnosis,?planning for appropriate treatment, and prediction of prognosis are limited, because there are no means to stage the progression of the disorder. In this study relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue in MRI and the synovial fluid concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the 23 temporomandibular joints(TMJ), from 17 patients with TMD were evaluated as a possible diagnostic marker. The relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue was referenced to brain gray matter with same region of interest(ROI) size. The concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and IL-6 were evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The collected data were compared with condylar degenerative change, joint effusion and disc position observed in MRI. The relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue was increased significantly when degenerative changes were present. In addition, there was significantly high signal intensity in the presence of a disc displaced without reduction. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased when condylar degenerative change was no observed. And there were no changes in the levels of IL-6 according to disc position and joint effusion measurement. Moreover, there were no significant relevance between the concentration of total MMP-2 and active MMP-9 in synovial fluid, relative to degenerative changes in the mandibular condyle, to joint effusion, and to disc position observed on MRI images. In conclusion, the relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue can be regarded as a mean of diagnosing the procession of TMD in a non-invasive manner. But more additional studies are required for the levels of MMP-2. MMP-9, and IL-6 to determine their potentials as a diagnostic marker for TMD.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.339-349
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• 2020

Objectives : Wiryeong-tang (WRT) is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat kidney-related diseases. However, the anti-inflammatory and anti-gastritis effect of Wiryeong-tang was not well known. Therefore, we experimented to confirmed the anti-inflammatory and anti-gastritis effects of Wiryeong-tang. Methods : The RAW 264.7 cells were pre treated with Wiryeong-tang mix soft extract (WRT-mse; 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/mL) for 1 hrs, and then incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 500 ng/mL). Cell viability was measured by the MTT method, and nitric oxide (NO) was measured with griess reagent. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For anti-gastritis effect in vivo, acute gastritis was induced using 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol used ICR mice. WRT-mse (133 mg/kg) was pre treated for 3 days and then treated with 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol 1 hrs later. Then gastritis was observed and inflammatory cytokines in the gastric tissue was measured. Results : The 8 marker components of the WRT-mse were determined by simultaneous analysis using HPLC. WRT-mse was not toxic and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α at NO production, protein and mRNA levels. Also, it was confirmed that WRT-mse improved bleeding and edema in gastritis, and suppresses inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion : In summary, our results suggest that the treatment of the WRT-mse reduced and improved the 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol induced acute gastritis and the inflammation caused by LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. Therefore, this study may provide useful drug or clinical evidence for WRT-mse to prevent inflammation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1252-1255
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• 2005

Abnormalities in the levels of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) are not associated with clinical disease and they do not require treatment. Congenital TBG deficiency is inherited in an X-linked manner. To date, some complete and partial TBG variants and one polymorphism have been identified by analysis of the TBG gene. Two male neonates were referred to us because of their low $T_4$ levels that were noted on the neonatal screening test. They showed normal levels of free $T_4$ and TSH. Their serum TBG was not detectable and those values of their parents were within the normal ranges. The genomic DNA was extracted from their white blood cells and the four coding exons of the TBG gene were amplified by using polymerase chain reaction. Sequencing of the four coding regions and all the intron/exon junctions revealed a single nucleotide deletion of the first base of the codon 352 of the mature protein in both of the neonates. This mutation resulted in a frameshift and a premature stop codon (TGA) 374. Their mothers were shown to be heterozygotes. We detected a single nucleotide deletion resulting in a frameshift in two male Korean neonates who had complete TBG deficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.760-765
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• 2008

Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection that occurs following the ingestion of infectious Paragonimus metacercariae from crabs or crayfish. Pulmonary paragonimiasis is the most common clinical manifestation of this infection, but several ectopic paragonimiasis cases have also been reported. Among them, cases of subcutaneous paragonimiasis are rare, especially in children. We report a case of subcutaneous paragonimiasis of the right abdominal wall with pleural effusion with hepatic involvement and without abnormal pulmonary infiltration in a boy aged 2 years and 5 months. He had eaten soybean sauce-soaked freshwater crabs (kejang) 6 months prior to complaining of right abdominal wall distension. On evaluation, right pleural effusion without abnormal pulmonary infiltration was detected, as well as blood eosinophilia, an elevated serum IgE level, pleural fluid eosinophilia and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that detected P. westermani antibody in the serum. Thoracentesis, praziquantel administration, and excision of subcutaneous lesions were performed. After treatment, the eosinophil count and serum IgE level were decreased, and the subcutaneous lesions did not recur. The frequency of paragonimiasis has decreased recently, but it is still prevalent in Korea. Paragonimiasis should be suspected if pleural fluid eosinophilia is associated with blood hypereosinophilia and a high level of serum IgE; however clinicians should obtain a thorough history of travel and food habits.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.433-444
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• 1996

We describe a novel approach to evaluate quantitatively the amounts of denatured proteins in cells upon heat exposure. A thiol compound, diamide [azodicarboxylic acid bis (dimethylamide)] causes protein cross-linking with exposed sulfyhydryl residues of denatured proteins. Since denatured proteins expose normally well-hidden sulfhydryl groups, these will be preferentially cross-linked by diamide. Thus diamide acts to 'trap' denatured proteins. We observed that protein aggregates (high molecular weight protein aggregates, HMA) appeared on SDS-polyacrylamide gels run under non-reducing conditions and that the amount of HMA can be quantified by scanning the gels using a gas flow counter. Heating cells followed by a fixed dose of diamide exposure resulted in HMA increases in a heat-dose dependent manner, demonstrating that the quantitation of HMA could serve as a measure of heat-denatured proteins. We compared thermotolerant and nontolerant cells and found decreased HMA in tolerant cells upon heat treatment. As an attempt to examine the kinetics of protein renaturation (or 'repair'), we measured the amounts of aggregates formed by the addition of diamide at various times after heat shock. Such experiments demonstrate an equally rapid disappearance of HMA in previously unheated and in thermotolerant cells. Levels of HMA in tolerant cells increased significantly after electroporation of HSP70 specific mAbs, suggesting an involvement of HSP70 in reducing HMA levels in thermotolerant cells upon heat exposure. Immunoprecipitation studies using anti-HSP70 antibody indicated an association of HSP70 with heat-denatured proteins. Our results suggest that heat induces protein denaturation, and that elevated level of HSP70 present in thermotolerant cells protects them by reducing the level of protein denaturation rather than by facilitating the 'repair' (or degradation) process.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2465-2472
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• 2015

Background: The Quality Audit (BQA) program of the Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand (NZ) collects data on early female breast cancer and its treatment. BQA data covered approximately half all early breast cancers diagnosed in NZ during roll-out of the BQA program in 1998-2010. Coverage increased progressively to about 80% by 2008. This is the biggest NZ breast cancer database outside the NZ Cancer Registry and it includes cancer and clinical management data not collected by the Registry. We used these BQA data to compare socio-demographic and cancer characteristics and survivals by ethnicity. Materials and Methods: BQA data for 1998-2010 diagnoses were linked to NZ death records using the National Health Index (NHI) for linking. Live cases were followed up to December $31^{st}$ 2010. Socio-demographic and invasive cancer characteristics and disease-specific survivals were compared by ethnicity. Results: Five-year survivals were 87% for Maori, 84% for Pacific, 91% for other NZ cases and 90% overall. This compared with the 86% survival reported for all female breast cases covered by the NZ Cancer Registry which also included more advanced stages. Patterns of survival by clinical risk factors accorded with patterns expected from the scientific literature. Compared with Other cases, Maori and Pacific women were younger, came from more deprived areas, and had larger cancers with more ductal and fewer lobular histology types. Their cancers were also less likely to have a triple negative phenotype. More of the Pacific women had vascular invasion. Maori women were more likely to reside in areas more remote from regional cancer centres, whereas Pacific women generally lived closer to these centres than Other NZ cases. Conclusions: NZ BQA data indicate previously unreported differences in breast cancer biology by ethnicity. Maori and Pacific women had reduced breast cancer survival compared with Other NZ women, after adjusting for socio-demographic and cancer characteristics. The potential contributions to survival differences of variations in service access, timeliness and quality of care, need to be examined, along with effects of comorbidity and biological factors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.5001-5007
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• 2014

The acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, is extracted from the rind of the fruit of Garcinia indica, a plant found extensively in tropical regions. Anti-cancer activity has been suggested but there is no report on its action via inhibiting acetylation against cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis-inhibtion induced by estradiol ($E_2$) in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The main purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of the acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol on cell proliferation, cell cycle progression and apoptosis inhibition in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells treated with estrogen, and to explore the significance of changes in acetylation levels in this process. We used a variety of techniques such as CCK-8 analysis of cell proliferation, FCM analysis of cell cycling and apoptosis, immunofluorescence analysis of NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 localization, and RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis of ac-H3, ac-H4, ac-p65, cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. We found that on treatment with garcinol in MCF-7 cells, $E_2$-induced proliferation was inhibited, cell cycle progression was arrested at G0/G1 phase, and the cell apoptosis rate was increased. Expression of ac-H3, ac-H4 and NF-${\kappa}B$/ac-p65 proteins in $E_2$-treated MCF-7 cells was increased, this being inhibited by garcinol but not ac-H4.The nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 in $E_2$-treated MCF-7 cells was also inhibited, along with cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl in mRNA and protein expression levels. These results suggest that the effect of $E_2$ on promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis is linked to hyperacetylation levels of histones and nonhistone NF-${\kappa}B$/p65 in MCF-7 cells. The acetyltransferase inhibitor garcinol plays an inhibitive role in MCF-7 cell proliferation promoted by $E_2$. Mechanisms are probably associated with decreasing ac-p65 protein expression level in the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway, thus down-regulating the expression of cyclin D1, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7635-7638
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• 2013

Background: Sperm-associated antigen 9 (SPAG9) has been recently proposed as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis of several human tumors, including ovarian, cervical and breast cancers. Its clinical value remains to be clarified for endometrial cancer (EC). In this study, we investigated the utility of serum SPAG9 levels in diagnosis of EC and its association with important clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at a tertiary women's referral center in Ankara, Turkey. Preoperative serum samples were collected from patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer between June 2012-April 2013. Similar aged women with a biopsy proven benign endometrium were used as controls. Serum SPAG9 levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and assessed for links with clinicopathological factors. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to assess power of SPAG9 levels for EC prediction. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 63 women with EC and 27 with benign endometrium were included in the study. Mean age in the EC group was $58.7{\pm}1.1$. Median SPAG9 levels in the EC and control groups were 18.3 (range, 12.7-53.8) and 14.1 (range, 4.3-65.3), respectively (p<0.001). A cut-off value of 17 ng/ml for SPAG9 predicted presence of malignant endometrium with 74% sensitivity and 83% specificity [Area under curve (AUC)=0.82, p<0.001]. SPAG9 levels did not demonstrate any significant association with histological type, FIGO stage, tumor grade, size, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, cervical involvement, adnexal involvement, peritoneal cytology or lymph node status (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Testing for SPAG9 may be useful for early detection of EC in asymptomatic high-risk women. Its role in post-treatment follow-up and early detection of recurrence should be assessed in future trials.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2008

Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent antihypertensive and vasodilator which plays an important role in regulating vascular tones. In this study, we investigated the effects of adventitious root extracts of wild ginseng on NO production and NO linked physiological activities. When human endothelial cell line (ECV304) was incubated with either water extracts of wild ginseng adventitious root (WE) or aqueous fraction of butanol extracts of wild ginseng adventitious root (ABE), considerable amounts of NO were released by the cells. The level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was unchanged and about 6% of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was inhibited with treatment of ABE. The vasodilating activities of pulmonary artery rings in response to different doses of extracts were shown as 44.8% and 91.3% in 2.5 mg/ml WE and 0.1 mg/ml ABE, respectively. The blood pressure lowering effect was observed from the oral administered spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) with the lowest blood pressure (154.5${\pm}$8.6 mmHg) after 8 h. The blood pressure was recovered to the initial level after 24 h.