• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.733-737
• /
• 2018

Cucurbitacin-I, a natural triterpenoid derived from Cucurbitaceae family plants, exhibits a number of potentially useful pharmacological and biological activities. Indeed, the previous study demonstrated that cucurbitacin-I reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells by enhancing apoptosis and causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. CD44, a type I transmembrane protein with the function of adhering to cells, mediates between the extracellular matrix and other cells through hyaluronic acid. Recent studies have demonstrated that an overexpression of the CD44 membrane receptor results in tumor initiation and growth, specific behaviors of cancer stem cells, the development of drug resistance, and metastasis. The aim was to examine the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression human ovarian cancer cells because the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression has not been reported. The expressions of CD44 mRNA and protein were detected using a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and a Western blot analysis, respectively. Treatment with cucurbitacin-I inhibited the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein. A subsequent analysis revealed that cucurbitacin-I blocked the phosphorylation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), which are key regulators of CD44 expression. Taken together, the data demonstrate that cucurbitacin-I regulates the AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, leading to decreased CD44 expression.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.179-184
• /
• 2007

Culture method of somatic cells is one of the important factors in the production of transgenic pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer. In this study, we established an efficient culture method of porcine fetal fibroblasts. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were isolated from 33-day-old fetuses. The proliferation of porcine fetal fibroblasts was analyzed by different serum types and culture media. The cultures in medium supplied 15% ES screened FBS showed faster increase in cell number than 15% FBS. Also, fetal fibroblasts have been propagated continuously for $7{\sim}8$ passages in ES modified DMEM and DMEM medium. We transfected $PGK-neo^r$ vector (pKJ2) into porcine fetal fibroblasts to estimate colony formation in this culture condition. The formation of colonies was confirmed in the medium containing $300\;{\mu}g/ml$ G418 at 12 day. These data show that this culture system can be used screening of porcine somatic cells transfected transgene.

• International Commerce and Information Review
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.353-375
• /
• 2011

Export control was first triggered by international export control system at US led COCOM in 1949. Numerous international efforts such as NPT in 1969, ZC in 1970, NSG in 1978, AG in 1985, MTCR in 1987, Wassenaar Arrangement(WA) establishment in 1995 with 1990's the fall of the Berlin Wall, have been made since. The concept of export control has been changed from weaponry and parts export control to preventing or blocking weaponry, respective goods and relevant technology from the hand of troubled regions and non-state actors as terrorist groups; and the new concept is described as Nonproliferation Control. Extent of control items is not only limited to conventional weaponry, but also includes weapons of mass destruction(WMD) and even dual use items which can be used for production, development, usage or storage. Control items include all items defined by NSG, MTCR, AG, WA, and CMC-Opec. The 9.11 terror had a strong influence on international society. Effort to prevent WMD proliferation has now become the most important issue for international security. This study aims to suggest improvement points for nonproliferation law and its effective implementation, based on problem and limitation identification along with analysis of nonproliferation law and implementation examples by type. Furthermore for the purpose of national and global security, export control system on strategic items which are considered to be a key issue in South and North Korea relationship needs to be effectively managed. Recently, North Korea's missile and nuclear tests have been criticized globally; and the global society including respective countries as China and South Korea is striving to urge export control in line with the UN resolution.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.190-197
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Gallus gallus domesticus (GD) is a natural mutant breed of chicken in Korea with an atypical characterization of melanin in its tissue. This study investigated the effects of melanin extracts of GD on osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation. MATERIALS/METHODS: The effects of the melanin extract of GD on human osteoblast MG-63 cell differentiation were examined by evaluating cell viability, osteoblast differentiation, and expression of osteoblast-specific transcription factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), small mothers against decapentaplegic homologs 5 (SMAD5), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin and type 1 collagen (COL-1) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting analysis. We investigated the inhibitory effect of melanin on the osteoclasts formation through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and TRAP stains in Raw 264.7 cell. RESULTS: The melanin extract of GD was not cytotoxic to MG-63 cells at concentrations of $50-250{\mu}g/mL$. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone mineralization of melanin extract-treated cells increased in a dose-dependent manner from 50 to $250{\mu}g/mL$ and were 149% and 129% at $250{\mu}g/mL$ concentration, respectively (P < 0.05). The levels of BMP-2, osteocalcin, and COL-1 gene expression were significantly upregulated by 1.72-, 4.44-, and 2.12-fold in melanin-treated cells than in the control cells (P < 0.05). The levels of RUNX2 and SMAD5 proteins were higher in melanin-treated cells than in control vehicle-treated cells. The melanin extract attenuated the formation of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand-induced TRAP-positive multinucleated RAW 264.7 cells by 22%, and was 77% cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 macrophages at a concentration of $500{\mu}g/mL$. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that the melanin extract promoted osteoblast differentiation by activating BMP/SMADs/RUNX2 signaling and regulating transcription of osteogenic genes such as ALP, type I collagen, and osteocalcin. These results suggest that the effective osteoblastic differentiation induced by melanin extract from GD makes it potentially useful in maintaining bone health.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.23-29
• /
• 2013

LCC (Liquid cadmium cathode) is used for electrowinning in pyroprocessing to recover uranium and transuranic elements simultaneously. It is one of the core technologies in pyroprocessing with higher proliferation resistance than a wet reprocessing because LCC-cell does not separate TRU from uranium. The crucible which holds the LCC is technically important because it should be nonconducting material to prevent deposition of metallic elements on the crucible outer surface. The chemical stability is also crucial factor to choose crucible material due to the strong reactivities of TRU and possible incorporation of Li metal during the operation. In this study, the chemical stabilities of four kinds of representative ceramic materials such as $Al_2O_3$, MgO, $Yl_2O_3$ and BeO were thermodynamically and experimentally evaluated at $500^{\circ}C$ with simulated LCC. The contact angle of LCC on ceramic materials was measured as function of time to predict chemical reactivity. $All_2O_3$ showed poorest chemical stability and the pores in BeO contributed to a decreases in contact angle. MgO and $Y_2O_3$ have superior chemical stability among the materials.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.169-173
• /
• 2001

Objectives: The p53 tumor suppressor gene encodes a nuclear transcription factor that is critical regulator of cell growth and proliferation through its action in cell-cycle checkpoint control. The wide variety of stressful stmuli which include DNA damage, hypoxia, heat shock, metabolic changes activate the p53 protein, which in turn drives a series of events that culminate either in cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Mutations of the p53 gene is the most common genetic alteration in human cancer. This gene is altered in approximately 40-60% of head and neck cancers. Whereas the wild-type form of the p53 protein plays a central role in cell-cycle control in response to DNA damage, most of the mutant forms are unable to do so. The high levels of p53 protein expression in tissues are related to the increased cellular proliferative activity and may be associated with the poor clinical outcome. To determine whether the expression of the p53 protein has prognostic significance and is associated with patterns of treatment failure in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), We analyzed p53 overexpression in 40 cases of HNSCC. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis with a monoclonal antibody (DO7) specific for p53 protein was used to detect expression of the protein in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 40 HNSCC. We evaluated p53 protein expression and analyzed the relationship between the p53 overexpression and age, sex, primary tumor site, stage, survival rate, recurrence. All reported P values resulted from two-sided statistical tests. Results: Overexpression of p53 was detected in 20 cases(50%) among 40 cases of HNSCC. The p53 overexpression was not associated with age, sex, primary tumor site, stage, recurrence and survival rate. Conclusions: In our results, p53 was not significant prognostic factor in HNSCC. Based on many previous studies, It is evident that p53 has a certain role in tumorigenesis of HNSCC. So, the further study is needed to evaluate the prognostic significance of p53 in HNSCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.2527-2532
• /
• 2012

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore mechanisms underlying the effects of down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression on esophageal carcinoma (EC) cells. Methods: Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry and annexin V apoptosis assay, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine changes in ultrastructure, while expression of cyclin D1 protein and mRNA was detected by western blot and real-time PCR. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1-2 were evaluated by Western blot analysis. PCNA labeling index (LI) was determined by immunocytochemistry. Results: Compared with pGen-3-con transfected and Eca-109 cells, the percentage of G0/G1-phase pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells was obviously increased (P<0.05), with no significant difference among the three groups with regard to apoptosis (P>0.05). pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells exhibited obvious decrease in cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05) and the ultrastructure of Eca-109 cells underwent a significant change after being transfected with pGen-3-CTNNB1, suggesting that down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression can promote the differentiation and maturation. The expression of PCNA and the ERKI/2 phosphorylation state were also down-regulated in pGen-3-CTNNB1 transfected cells (P<0.05). At the same time, the PCNA labeling index was decreased accordingly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Inhibition of EC Eca-109 cellproliferation by down-regulating ${\beta}$-catenin expression could improve cell ultrastructure by mediating blockade in G0/G1 through inhibiting cyclin D1, PCNA and the MAPK pathway (p-ERK1/2).

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2009

Electrowinning process recovers uranium with actinide elements from spent fuels and is a key step in the Pyroprocessing because of proliferation resistance. An analysis of heat transfer of the Electrowinning cell was conducted to develop basic tool for designing engineering-scale Electrowinner. For the calculation of the heat transfer, ANSYS CFX commercial code was adapted. As a result of the calculation, the vertical Heating Zone length had great effect upon temperature of LiCl-KCl eutectic salt. To maintain constant temperature in the salt, the Heating Zone length should be three times longer than the height of the salt. However, the argon and salt temperatures were barely affected by the Cooling Zone length. The temperature under the Cell cover was mainly influenced by the number of the cooling plates. When the cooling plates were installed more than the number of 5, temperature under the cover was maintained below $250^{\circ}C$. These temperature properties had similar tendency toward the temperature of the Cell which was measured from experiments, Simulated heat transfer information from this study could be used to design engineering-scale Electrowinner.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.177-197
• /
• 1998

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Yipahnsan on angiogenic inhibition mechanism. This study investigates the effects of Yipahnsan on angiogenic inhibition mechanism evaluate cell adhesive inhibition effect, DNA fragmantaion analysis, nuclear condensation assay, FACScan analysis, angiogenic lumen formation assay, immunocytochemistry analysis, RT-PCR for mRNA expression, western blot analysis, confocal analysis for $Ca^{2+}influx$. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The cell adhesive inhibition ability was strongly increased from $5{\mu}g/ml$ on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 2. YY water extract caused $G_0/G_1$ arrest peak to existed on the ECV304 cell line. 3. YY water extract caused inhibition of proliferation and inducement of apoptosis on the collagen coated plate in ECV304 cell line. 4. YY water extract inhibited the lumen formation on the matrigel coated plate in ECV304 cell line. 5. YY water extract inhibited the expressions of LFA-1 and ELAM-1 on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 6. YY water extract inhibited the expressions of MMP-9 and uPA on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 7. YY water extract inhibited the expression of integrin ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. 8. YY water extract decreased the change of $Ca^{2+}$ in intracellular on ECV304 cell line and ECVPAR cell line. According to the results, Yipahnsan showed to be a key antagonist of integrin ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$, and to be induction of apoptosis by p53 through flow cytometry. This report also demonstrated that expressions of MMP-9 and uPA were blocked under the angiogenesis model. Thus, we suggested that Yipahnsan blocks angiogenesis by inducing apoptosis in ECV304 and ECVPAR cell lines, and another oriental herbal medicine that treats qi-stagnation and blood-stasis type also has angiogenic inhibition effects.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study examined the relative efficacies of a derivative of betulinic acid (dBA) and its poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nano-encapsulated form in A549 lung cancer cells in vivo and in co-mutagen [sodium arsenite (SA) + benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)]-induced lung cancer in mice in vivo. Methods: dBA was loaded with PLGA nanoparticles by using the standard solvent displacement method. The sizes and morphologies of nano-dBA (NdBA) were determined by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and their intracellular localization was verified by using confocal microscopy. The binding and interaction of NdBA with calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid (CT-DNA) as a target were analyzed by using conventional circular dichroism (CD) and melting temperature (Tm) profile data. Apoptotic signalling cascades in vitro and in vivo were studied by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the ability of NdBA to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was also examined. The stage of cell cycle arrest was confirmed by using a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting (FACS) data analysis. Results: The average size of the nanoparticles was ~ 110 nm. Confocal microscopy images confirmed the presence of NdBA in the cellular cytoplasm. The bio-physical properties of dBA and NdBA ascertained from the CD and the Tm profiles revealed that NdBA had greater interaction with the target DNA than dBA did. Both dBA and NdBA arrested cell proliferation at G0/G1, NdBA showing the greater effect. NdBA also induced a greater degree of cytotoxicity in A549 cells, but it had an insignificant cytotoxic effect in normal L6 cells. The results of flow cytometric, cytogenetial and histopathological studies in mice revealed that NdBA caused less nuclear condensation and DNA damage than dBA did. TEM images showed the presence of NdBA in brain samples of NdBA fed mice, indicating its ability to cross the BBB. Conclusion: Thus, compared to dBA, NdBA appears to have greater chemoprotective potential against lung cancer.