• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.14-27
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex Radicis extract(ACRE) on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Methods: After treatment with various concentration of ACRE, cell growth was evaluated in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Hoechst 33342 staining was performed to estimate DNA fragment effect of ACRE on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay was used to estimate the effects of ACRE on the early apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. RT-PCR was used to estimate the apoptosis gene expression effect of ACRE on Hela cell MCF-7 cell. Results: Under $0.1mg/m\ell$ of ACRE, cytotoxic effect was not found per NIH3T3 cell. The viability of HeLa cell and MCF-7 cells was significantly decreased ACRE ($100{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell, ACRE ($50{\mu}g/m\ell$) in HeLa cell 3 days after treatment, in MCF-7 cell 1&3 days after treatment (p<0.01). DNA fragmentation was observed 3 days after treatment of cl of ACRE on HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, the early apoptotic cell increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. In RT-PCR analysis, after treatment of $100{\mu}g/m\ell$ of ACRE, bcl-2 were decreased and bax, caspase-3 were increased both in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell. Conclusions: ACRE appears to have considerable activity on the apoptosis in HeLa cell and MCF-7 cell.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.595-603
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• 2016

(E)-3-Phenyl-1-(2-pyrrolyl)-2-propenone (PPP) is a pyrrole derivative of chalcone, in which the B-ring of chalcone linked to ${\beta}$-carbon is replaced by pyrrole group. While pyrrole has been studied for possible Src inhibition activity, chalcone, especially the substituents on the B-ring, has shown pharmaceutical, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity. Our study is aimed to investigate whether this novel synthetic compound retains or enhances the pharmaceutically beneficial activities from the both structures. For this purpose, inflammatory responses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells were analyzed. Nitric oxide (NO) production, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) mRNA expression, and the intracellular inflammatory signaling cascade were measured. Interestingly, PPP strongly inhibited NO release in a dose-dependent manner. To further investigate this anti-inflammatory activity, we identified molecular pathways by immunoblot analyses of nuclear fractions and whole cell lysates prepared from LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells with or without PPP pretreatment. The nuclear levels of p50, c-Jun, and c-Fos were significantly inhibited when cells were exposed to PPP. Moreover, according to the luciferase reporter gene assay after cotransfection with either TRIF or MyD88 in HEK293 cells, NF-${\kappa}B$-mediated luciferase activity dose-dependently diminished. Additionally, it was confirmed that PPP dampens the upstream signaling cascade of NF-${\kappa}B$ and AP-1 activation. Thus, PPP inhibited Syk, Src, and TAK1 activities induced by LPS or induced by overexpression of these genes. Therefore, our results suggest that PPP displays anti-inflammatory activity via inhibition of Syk, Src, and TAK1 activity, which may be developed as a novel anti-inflammatory drug.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.385-391
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• 2016

The discovery and understanding of antigenic proteins are essential for development of a vaccine against malaria. In Plasmodium falciparum, Pf92 have been characterized as a merozoite surface protein, and this protein is expressed at the late schizont stage, but no study of Pv92, the orthologue of Pf92 in P. vivax, has been reported. Thus, the protein structure of Pv92 was analyzed, and the gene sequence was aligned with that of other Plasmodium spp. using bioinformatics tools. The recombinant Pv92 protein was expressed and purified using bacterial expression system and used for immunization of mice to gain the polyclonal antibody and for evaluation of antigenicity by protein array. Also, the antibody against Pv92 was used for subcellular analysis by immunofluorescence assay. The Pv92 protein has a signal peptide and a sexual stage s48/45 domain, and the cysteine residues at the N-terminal of Pv92 were completely conserved. The N-terminal of Pv92 was successfully expressed as soluble form using a bacterial expression system. The antibody raised against Pv92 recognized the parasites and completely merged with PvMSP1-19, indicating that Pv92 was localized on the merozoite surface. Evaluation of the human humoral immune response to Pv92 indicated moderate antigenicity, with 65% sensitivity and 95% specificity by protein array. Taken together, the merozoite surface localization and antigenicity of Pv92 implicate that it might be involved in attachment and invasion of a merozoite to a new host cell or immune evasion during invasion process.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2007

The genetic transformation of watermelon by Agrobacterium has been known very difficult and a few successful cases have been reported by obtaining the direct shoot formation. However, since this direct shoot formation is not guaranteed the stable transformation, the stable transformation with reproducibility is required by a different approach such as a callus induced manner. The best conditions for inducing the callus from cotyledon and root explants of watermelon were 2 mg/L zeatin + 0.1 mg/L IAA and 2 mg/L BA + 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D, respectively. The GFP expression in the callus was identified and monitored through fluorescent microscopy after transformation with pmGFP5-ER vector. Paromomycin rather than kanamycin was used for selecting the nptll gene expression because it was more effective to select the watermelon explants. Four different callus types were observed and the solid green callus showed stronger GFP expression. The highest frequency of GFP expression in the callus developed from cotyledon was 9.0% (WM8 inbred line), while the highest frequency from root was 8.3% (WM6 inbred line). The WMV-CP was transformed using the method of GFP transformation and the genetic transformation of WMV-CP was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analysis. Here we present a system for callus induction of watermelon explant and the callus induced method would facilitate the establishment of stable watermelon transformation.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.251-257
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• 2011

Rice is the most important crop as a model plant for functional genomics of monocotyledons. Rice is usually transformed using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. However, the transformation efficiency using previous method is still low. In this study, we established a new method by modifying the general Agrobacterium protocol especially in the inoculation and co-cultivation step. We directly inoculated Agrobacterium containing a CIPK15 gene under the control of CaMV 35S promoter and NOS terminator in the pCAM1300 vector into the pre-soaked seeds in N6D media for 24 hours. After 7 days of culture at $25^{\circ}C$, calli were formed on seeds cultured on the co-cultivation medium containing an antioxidant compound (1 mM dithiothreitol) and of Agrobacterium growth-inhibiting agent (3 mg/L silver nitrate). We obtained 35 and 22 transgenic plants in rice cultivars, Gopumbyeo and Ilpumbyeo, with increase of transformation efficiency by 30.4% and 22.6%, respectively compared to the general transformation method. The new method in this study would lead to reduction of substantial labor and time to generate transgenic plants.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6505-6510
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• 2012

Background: CYP2E1 encodes an enzyme which is mainly involved in bioactivation of potential carcinogens such as N-nitrosamines. Polymorphisms in the gene have been reported to be associated with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotype distributions and allele frequencies of five CYP2E1 polymorphisms in Iran Materials and Methods: Two hundred healthy individuals of an Iranian population from the southwest were included in this study. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and Tetra-ARMS PCR methods were applied for CYP2E1 genotyping. Results: The allele frequencies for $^*5B$, $^*6$, $^*7B$, $^*2$, and $^*3$ were calculated to be 1.5%, 16%, 28.5%, 0%, and 2.75% respectively. Results of this study showed that no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of five single nucleotide polymorphisms with respect to the gender and tribes. The chi-square test showed that the genotype frequencies of $CYP2E1^*5B$ were similar to Caucasians, but the distribution of $CYP2E1^*6$ genotypes was similar to Asians. The frequencies of $CYP2E1^*2$ (0%) and $CYP2E1^*3$ (2.75%) alleles were within the range for Caucasians and Orientals. In the case of $CYP2E1^*7B$, the data werelimited. Accordingly, the results were only compared with Europeans and the comparison showed significant differences. Conclusions: In conclusion, ethnic and geographic differences may explain discrepancies in the prevalence of CYP2E1 polymorphisms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3687-3693
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• 2012

Objective: The current meta-analysis was performed to address a more accurate estimation of the association between glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) codon 105 polymorphism and risk of gastric cancer (GC), which has been widely reported with conflicting results. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all the relevant studies. Fixed or random effect models were selected based on the heterogeneity test. Publication bias was estimated using Begg's funnel plots and Egger's regression test. Results: A total of 20 studies containing 2,821 GC cases and 6,240 controls were finally included in the analyses. Overall, no significant association between GSTP1 polymorphism and GC risk was observed in worldwide populations. However, subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity showed that GSTP1 polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of GC in Asians (G vs. A, OR = 1.273, 95%CI=1.011-1.605; GG vs. AA, OR=2.103, 95%CI=1.197-3.387; GG vs. AA+AG, OR =2.103, 95%CI=1.186-3.414). In contrast, no significant association was found in Caucasians in any genetic models, except for with AG vs. AA (OR=0.791, 95%CI=0.669-0.936). Furthermore, the GSTP1 polymorphism was found to be significantly associated with GC in patients with H. pylori infection and in those with a cardiac GC. Subgroup analysis stratified by Lauren's classification and smoking status showed no significant association with any genetic model. No studies were found to significantly influence the pooled effects in each genetic mode, and no potential publication bias was detected. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggested that the GSTP1 polymorphism might be associated with increased risk of GC in Asians, while GSTP1 heterozygote genotype seemed to be associated with reduced risk of GC. Since potential confounders could not be ruled out completely, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound-K-rich fraction, has been shown to display anti-inflammatory activity. Although Panax ginseng is widely used for the prevention of photoaging events induced by UVB irradiation, the effect of BIOGF1K on photoaging has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of BIOGF1K on UVB-induced photoaging events. Methods: We analyzed the ability of BIOGF1K to prevent UVB-induced apoptosis, enhance matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, upregulate anti-inflammatory activity, reduce sirtuin 1 expression, and melanin production using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, melanin content assay, tyrosinase assay, and flow cytometry. We also evaluated the effects of BIOGF1K on the activator protein-1 signaling pathway, which plays an important role in photoaging, by immunoblot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results: Treatment of UVB-irradiated NIH3T3 fibroblasts with BIOGF1K prevented UVB-induced cell death, inhibited apoptosis, suppressed morphological changes, reduced melanin secretion, restored the levels of type I procollagen and sirtuin 1, and prevented mRNA upregulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and cyclo-oxygenase-2; these effects all occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, BIOGF1K markedly reduced activator-protein-1-mediated luciferase activity and decreased the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular response kinase, p38, and C-Jun N-terminal kinase). Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that BIOGF1K has anti-photoaging activity and that BIOGF1K could be used in anti-aging cosmeceutical preparations.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.286-294
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• 2020

The Chironomus(Diptera: Chironomidae) is a freshwater benthic invertebrate that is an important indicator organism used for environmental pollution and water quality monitoring. In this study, we performed morphological classification and genetic species identification using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene on mitochondrial DNA for an accurate species classification of Chironomus larvae found in tap water purification plants in Incheon, Korea. Twenty larvae in six water purification plants consist of four species, including twelve Chironomus kiiensis, six Chironomus flaviplumus, one Chironomus dorsalis, and one Polypedilum yongsanensis (not included Genus Chironomus). Morphological characteristics of each larvae were identified based on the head capsule, the mentum, the mandible, the antenna, and the claw. Based on the COI sequences of 21 individuals of 17 Chironomus species registered in NCBI Genbank, phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 20 individuals investigated in this study consist of the same clade with corresponding species of the high homology (99~100%) including C. kiiensis, C. flaviplumus, C. dorsalis, and P. yongsanensis. These results will be used as main classification indicator for monitoring freshwater ecosystems by providing integrated morphological and genetic information for the species identification of Korean Chironomus.

• Journal of Science Education
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.12-26
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• 2018

This study examined the effects of SSI argumentation program on the preservice biology teachers' decision-making types and communication ability. The SSI argumentation program was developed based on 'Social Decision-Making & Problem-Solving strategy' and Toulmin's argumentation pattern. The preservice teachers had opportunities of SSI argumentation through small group discussions. They were asked to identify the issues regarding SSI, think of solutions, and make a decision along with claims, warrants, data, and rebuttals. The preservice biology teachers experienced four SSI topics of abortion, euthanasia, gene manipulation, artificial intelligence. The results indicated that the preservice biology teachers significantly improved the communication ability after the intervention, but they did not change their types of decision-making. In addition, after the intervention, the Pearson correlation results indicated that 'the logical type' of decision-making significantly relates to the communication ability(p<.01). The preservice biology teachers mentioned that they improved their ability of considering warrants, data, background information, context, and rebuttals. Further, the preserivce biology teachers mentioned that they became take an interest in socioscientific issues and improved their ability of accepting criticism from others as well as caring about others when they argue each other. This study implicated that the SSI argumentation program has effects on improving personality education in school science.