• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권15호
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• pp.6283-6286
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• 2014

In patients with microscopic hematuria there is a need for better identification of those who are at greater risk of harbouring bladder tumors. The RisikoCheck(C) questionnaire has a strong correlation with the presence of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder and in combination with other available tests may help identify patients who require detailed clinical investigations due to increased risk of presence of bladder tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of RisikoCheck(C) questionnaire together with NMP-22(R) (BladderChek(R)) as a point-of-care urine test in predicting the presence of bladder tumors in patients presenting with microscopic hematuria as the sole finding. In this multi-institutional prospective evaluation of 303 consecutive patients without a history of urothelial carcinoma (UC), RisikoCheck(C) risk group assessment, urinary tract imaging and cystourethroscopy as well as urine cytology and Nuclear Matrix Protein-22 (NMP-22 BladderChek) testing were performed where available. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive values (PPV) for the risk adapted approach were calculated. All patients underwent cystoscopy, and tumors were detected in 18 (5.9%). Urine cytology and NMP-22 was positive for malignancy in 9 (3.2%) and 12 (7.5%) of patients, respectively. A total of 43 (14%) patients were in the high risk group according to the RisikoCheck(C) questionnaire. The sensitivity and specificity of the questionnaire in detecting a bladder tumor was 61.5 % and 84.0 % in the high risk group. In patients with either a positive NMP-22 test or high risk category RisikoCheck(C), 23.6% had bladder tumors with a corresponding sensitivity of 54.2% and specificity of 88.6%. If both tests were negative only 3.3% of the patients had bladder tumors. The results of our study suggest that the efficacy of diagnostic evaluation of patients with microscopic hematuria may be further enhanced by combining RisikoCheck(C) questionnaire with NMP-22.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권10호
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• pp.554-559
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• 2016

Mycobacterium abscessus, a member of the group of non-tuberculous mycobacteria, has been identified as an emerging pulmonary pathogen in humans. However, little is known about the protective immune response of antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs), which guard against M. abscessus infection. The M. abscessus gene MAB1843 encodes ᴅ-alanyl-ᴅ-alanine dipeptidase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of ᴅ-alanyl-ᴅ-alanine dipeptide. We investigated whether MAB1843 is able to interact with DCs to enhance the effectiveness of the host's immune response. MAB1843 was found to induce DC maturation via toll-like receptor 4 and its downstream signaling pathways, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B pathways. In addition, MAB1843-treated DCs stimulated the proliferation of T cells and promoted Th1 polarization. Our results indicate that MAB1843 could potentially regulate the immune response to M. abscessus, making it important in the development of an effective vaccine against this mycobacterium.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.51-68
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• 2017

Objectives : Oxidative stress due to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the risk factors for the development of several chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Methods : In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of cheongnoemyeongsin-hwan (CNMSH) against oxidative stress‑induced cellular damage and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in neuronal-derived SH-SY5Y cells. Results : Our results revealed that treatment with CNMSH prior to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) exposure significantly increased the SH-SY5Y cell viability, indicating that the exposure of the SH-SY5Y cells to CNMSH conferred a protective effect against oxidative stress. CNMSH also effectively attenuated H2O2‑induced comet tail formation, and decreased the phosphorylation levels of the histone ${\gamma}H2AX$, as well as the number of apoptotic bodies and Annexin V‑positive cells. In addition, CNMSH exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular ROS generation and restored the mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) loss that were induced by H2O2, suggesting that CNMSH prevents H2O2‑induced DNA damage and cell apoptosis. Moreover, H2O2 enhanced the cleavage of caspase-3 and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase, a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3, as well as DNA fragmentation; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with CNMSH. Furthermore, CNMSH increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). According to our data, CNMSH is able to protect SH-SY5Y cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis throughout blocking cellular damage related to oxidative stress through a mechanism that would affect ROS elimination and activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Conclusions : Therefore, we believed that CNMSH may potentially serve as an agent for the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.173-182
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• 2013

아토피성 피부염은 만성 재발성 염증성 피부질환으로 피부장벽기능의 이상과 환경유발인자에 대한 피부과민성과 연관되어 있다. 이전의 연구에서는 아토피성피부염에 효과적인 약용식물 추출물을 발굴하기 위하여 노회, 자회지정, 석류, 석곡 추출물들의 세포독성, 항산화, 항염, 항알레르기 효과를 검토하였다. 본 연구에서는 지질다당류로 활성화시킨 대식세포 RAW26.7 에 대한 약용식물 추출물들의 항염작용을 보다 상세하게 검토하여 항염작용의 근본적인 분자기전을 확인하고자 하였다. 역전사중합효소연쇄반응분석(reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis) 결과, 석류, 석곡, 노회는 염증성 사이토카인인 IL-6 와 IL-$1{\beta}$ 유전자발현을 현저하게 억제시켰으며 자화지정은 영향이 없었다. 형질주입과 발광효소분석(transfection and luciferase analysis) 결과, 약용식물 모두가 전사 핵인자 카파비(NF-${\kappa}B$)의 활성화를 억제시켰다. 웨스턴 블럿 분석(western blot analysis) 결과, 노회는 JNK MAP 인산화효소의 활성화를 차단하였지만 p38 MAP 인산화효소의 활성화는 차단하지 못하였다. 반면에 자화지정, 석류, 석곡은 JNK MAP 인산화효소뿐만 아니라 p38 MAP 인산화효소의 활성화도 차단하였다. 이들 실험결과들은 노회, 자화지정, 석류, 석곡은 항염효능을 가지고 있으며 따라서 아토피성 피부염의 증상을 경감 또는 완화시키는 잠재력이 있음을 보여 준다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제44권12호
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• pp.1763-1770
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• 2015

한방에서 염증 치료 목적으로 사용하는 흰 민들레 뿌리의 열수 추출물을 제조하여 항염증 효과 및 산화 스트레스 개선효과를 확인하고자 하였다. ICR mice에 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)를 1회 복강 투여하여(10 mg/kg bw) 염증 및 산화스트레스를 유발하고, 한국에만 자생하는 흰 민들레 뿌리 열수 추출물을 1.4 g/kg bw 농도로 2회 경구 투여하였다. LPS에 의한 염증 유발은 체중 감소 현상으로 확인하였고, 민들레 뿌리 열수 추출물 투여군은 유의적으로 체중이 증가하여 염증 억제 효과가 관찰되었다. LPS 처리는 혈액의 중성지방질, 혈액 및 간의 reactive oxygen species(ROS), peroxynitrite 농도 그리고 간의 지질과산화 수준을 증가시켰다(P<0.05). LPS를 처리한 대조군에 비해 흰 민들레 뿌리 열수 추출물 투여군은 혈중 및 간의 중성지방질, ROS, peroxynitrite 농도 그리고 간의 지질과산화물 수준이 유의적으로 감소하였다(P<0.05). 이는 흰 민들레 뿌리 열수 추출물이 간의 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 전사인자 및 이의 조절을 받는 COX-2의 단백질 발현을 억제함으로써 염증 관련 매개체 및 유리기 생성을 유의적으로 억제하였기 때문으로 생각된다. LPS 처리군에서 간의 중성지방질 농도가 감소한 것은 염증에 의해 간 조직이 손상되어 중성지방질의 합성이 억제되었기 때문으로 생각된다. 본 연구는 한방에서 사용하여 온 한국 토종 흰 민들레 뿌리가 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 전사인자의 발현을 억제함으로써 염증 및 산화 스트레스를 개선하는 효과가 있음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• 한국미생물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국미생물학회 2002년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.162-172
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• 2002

Schizosaccharomyces pombe is suited for the study of cytokinesis as it divides by forming a septum in the middle of the cell at the end of mitosis. To enhance our understanding of the cytokinesis, we have carried out a genetic screen for temperature-sensitive S. pombe mutants that show defects in septum formation and cell division. Here we present the isolation and characterization of a new temperature-sensitive mutant, sun1(septum uncontrolled), which undergoes uncontrolled septation during cell division cycle at restrictive temperature $(37^{\circ}C)$. In sun1 mutant, actin ring and septum are positioned at random locations and angles, and nuclear division cycle continues. These observations suggest that the sun] gene product is required for the proper placement of the actin ring as well as precise septation. The sun] mutant is monogenic recessive mutation unlinked to previously known various cdc genes of S. pombe. In a screen for $sunl^+$ gene to complement the sun] mutant, we have cloned a gene, $susl^+$(suppressor of sun1 mutant), that encodes a protein of 689 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence of $susl^+$ gene is similar to the human hMadlp and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Mad1p, a component of the spindle checkpoint in eukaryotic cells. The null mutant of $susl^+$ gene grows normally at various temperatures and has the increased sensitivity to anti-microtubule drug, while $susl^+$ mutant shows no sensitivity to microtubule destabilizing drugs. The putative S. pombe Sus1p directly interacts with S. pombe Mad2p in yeast two-hybrid assays. These data suggest that the newly isolated susr gene encodes S. pombe Mad1p and suppresses sun] mutant defective in controlled septation in a cell division cycle.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.7-16
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• 2017

The knock-in efficiency in the fibroblast is very important to produce transgenic domestic animal using nuclear transfer. In this research, we constructed three kinds of different knock-in vectors to study the efficiency of knock-in depending on structure of knock-in vector with different size of homologous arm on the ${\beta}-casein$ gene locus in the somatic cells; DT-A_cEndo Knock-in vector, DT-A_tEndo Knock-in vector I, and DT-A_tEndo Knock-in vector II. The knock-in vector consists of 4.8 kb or 1.06 kb of 5' arm region and 1.8 kb or 0.64 kb of 3' arm region, and neomycin resistance gene(neor) as a positive selection marker gene. The cEndo Knock-in vector had 4.8 kb and 1.8 kb homologous arm. The tEndo Knock-in vector I had 1.06 kb and 0.64 kb homologous arm and tEndo Knock-in vector II had 1.06 kb and 1.8 kb homologous arm. To express endostatin gene as transgene, the F2A sequence was fused to the 5' terminal of endostatin gene and inserted into exon 7 of the ${\beta}-casein$ gene. The knock-in vector and TALEN were introduced into the bovine fibroblast by electroporation. The knock-in efficiencies of cEndo, tEndo I, and tEndo II vector were 4.6%, 2.2% and 4.8%, respectively. These results indicated that size of 3' arm in the knock-in vector is important for TALEN-mediated homologous recombination in the fibroblast. In conclusion, our knock-in system may help to create transgenic dairy cattle expressing human endostatin protein via the endogenous expression system of the bovine ${\beta}-casein$ gene in the mammary gland.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제58권4호
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• pp.14.1-14.9
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• 2016

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (CEBPA) and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRA) are nuclear transcription factors that play important roles in regulation of adipogenesis and fat deposition. The objectives of this study were to characterise the variability of these three candidate genes in a mixed sample panel composed of several cattle breeds with different meat quality, validate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a local crossbred population (Angus - Hereford - Limousin) and evaluate their effects on meat quality traits (backfat thickness, intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition), supporting the association tests with bioinformatic predictive studies. Results: Globally, nine SNPs were detected in the PPARG and CEBPA genes within our mixed panel, including a novel SNP in the latter. Three of these nine, along with seven other SNPs selected from the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism database (SNPdb), including SNPs in the RXRA gene, were validated in the crossbred population (N = 260). After validation, five of these SNPs were evaluated for genotype effects on fatty acid content and composition. Significant effects were observed on backfat thickness and different fatty acid contents (P < 0.05). Some of these SNPs caused slight differences in mRNA structure stability and/or putative binding sites for proteins. Conclusions: PPARG and CEBPA showed low to moderate variability in our sample panel. Variations in these genes, along with RXRA, may explain part of the genetic variation in fat content and composition. Our results may contribute to knowledge about genetic variation in meat quality traits in cattle and should be evaluated in larger independent populations.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.1315-1321
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• 2008

본 논문은 오랫동안 민간요법으로 염증치료에 사용되어오던 섬수가 lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-자극된 BV2 소교 세포의 nitric oxide(NO) 분비에 미치는 효과에 대해 연구한 내용이다. 실험 결과 섬수는 세포 생존력에 대한 영향 없이 BV2 소교 세포에서 NO 분비를 억제시켰고, nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) 단백질도 감소시켰다. 또한 섬수는 prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 생산 및 cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 발현을 저지하였고, proinflammatory cytokines과 ${IkB-\alpha}$감소를 억제시켰다. 따라서 섬수가 $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$감소를 억제함으로써 NO 합성을 저해하여 항염증작용을 할 수 있다는 내용이다.