• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1111-1114
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• 2013

Background: For early detection of renal damage during the usage of cisplatin based chemotherapy, changes in renal function should be monitored carefully. In recent years, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, a small polypeptide molecule, has shown promise as a marker of acute renal failure. The aim of this present study was to assess possible risk prediction of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using serum NGAL. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 consecutive patients with documented serum creatinine at least 24 hours before every cycle of cisplatin-based chemotherapy were included in the study. Demographic and medical data including age, performance status, tumor characteristics and comorbid diseases were collected from medical charts. Renal function was evaluated at least 48 hours before the treatment and at the end of the treatment based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Before and after cisplatin infusion serum NGAL levels were measured for the first and 3rd cycles of chemotherapy. Results: The median age of the study population was 54 (32-70) years. Fifteen patients (41.1%) were treated on an adjuvant basis, whereas 19 patients (58.9%) were treated for metastatic disease. There was no correlation of serum NGAL levels with serum creatinine (r=0.20, p=0.26) and MDRD (r=-0.12, p=0.50) and creatinine clearance-Cockcroft-Gault (r=-0.22, p=0.22) after cisplatin infusion at the end of the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy. Conclusions: In our study, serum NGAL levels were not correlated with the cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity. Further prospective studies are needed to conclude that serum NGAL level is not a good surrogate marker to predict early cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2000

Growth factors and the receptors play an important role in the regulation of the growth and development of mammalian cells. In particular, epidermal growth factor is a polypeptide with potent mitogenic activity that stimulates proliferation of various normal and neoplastic cells through the interaction with its specific receptor(EGFR). EGFR has been described as a parameter of poor prognosis in many human neoplasms such as breast, bladder, and vulvar cancers. The objectives of this study are the evaluation of the expression of EGFR and cell cycle analysis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas(SCC), and the evaluation of the correlation between clinico-patholgic features and expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction. 37 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma specimens were evaluated for expression of EGFR by Western blot analysis and S-phase fraction by cell cycle analysis using the flow cytometry. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The expressions of EGFR were observed in 20 specimens(54%) among 37 head and neck SCC specimens. In case of oral SCC, 15 specimens(56%) out of 27 specimens were observed, and in case of nasopharyngeal SCC 5 specimens(50%) out of 10 specimens. 2. There was no correlation between clinical features(location, stage) of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p>0.05). 3. There was a significant correlation between histo-pathological differentiation of head and neck SCC and expression of EGFR (p<0.02). 4. There was a significant correlation between expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle in the head and neck SCC (p<0.05). The above results suggest that expression of EGFR and S-phase fraction of cell cycle are adjunctive prognostic marker in the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.396-402
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• 2011

Introduction: Epidermal growth factor is a single-chain polypeptide consisting of 53 amino acids with potent mitogenic activity that stimulates the proliferation of a range of normal and neoplastic cells through an interaction with its specific receptor (epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR). This interaction plays a key role in tumor progression including the induction of tumor cell proliferation. An increased EGFR copy number have been associated with a favorable response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy. In contrast, K-ras mutations tend to predict a poor response to such therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the clinicopathological factors and the up-regulation of EGFR expression and Kras mutations in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: This study examined the immunohistochemical staining of EGFR, K-ras mutation detection with peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clamping in 20 specimens from 20 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Results: 1. In the immunohistochemical study of poorly differentiated and invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma, a high level of EGFR staining was observed. The correlation between immunohistochemical EGFR expression and histological differentiation, as well as the tumor size of the specimens was significant (Pearson correlation analysis, significance [r] >0.5, P<0.05). 2. In PNA-based real-time PCR clamping analysis, a K-ras mutation was not detected in all specimens. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the up-regulation of the EGFR may play a role in the progression and invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma that is, independent of a K-ras mutation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.388-393
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• 2008

The Pphsc70 (heat shock cognate 70) gene was isolated from the endoparasitoid Pteromalus puparum and then characterized. The full-length cDNA was 2204 base pair (bp) and contained a single 1968 bp ORF that encoded a polypeptide of 656 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 71.28 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis based on Hsc70 amino acid sequences from fifteen insect species agreed with the present phylogeny. In addition, genomic DNA confirmed the presence of three introns located at the coding region as well as the 5'UTR. A significant elevation of Pphsc70 expression was observed following heat treatment, however, continued exposure to heat shock or recovery caused the expression of induced mRNA to gradually decline to levels that were significantly lower than those of control pupae (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant increase was observed in the emergence rate of pupae that were preheated at $40^{\circ}C$ and then exposed to $50^{\circ}C$ for 1 h when compared with the pupae that were not preheated, but instead directly exposed to $50^{\circ}C$. Taken together, these results revealed that exposure to gradually increasing temperatures can enhance an insects thermo-tolerance.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.802-809
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• 2000

Counterion-specific helix formation and ion-selective transport of alkali metal chlorides (LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CsCl) were investigated for a poly(L-glutamic acid)(PLGA)/poly (vinyl alcohol)(PVA) blend membrane immersed in aqueous ethanol. The counterion specificity for helix formation of PLG alkali metal salts in the membrane was Li>Na>K>Cs. This specificity is ascribed to a contact ion-pair formation between the PLG carboxyl anion and the bound counterion, which depends on the energy balance between the electrostatic interaction and the desolvation. In aqueous ethanol, an appreciable ion-selectivity was observed for the permeability coefficient, i.e. Li$^{+}{\cdot}$Cl$^{-}$) formation between counterion and coion, and the latter to a specific interaction of diffusing counterions with polymer charges.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.252-259
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• 1992

Extracellular laccase excreted from Lentinus edodes ATCC 48085 was purified through a series of DEAF, Sephadex A-50. Con A-Sepharosc and Sephadex G-150 chromatography. Extracellular enzyme. which consists of a single polypeptide, has a n~olecular mass of 87.000 daltons and contains 12.0'%, carbohydrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence (I5 residues) of the puritied enzyme was similar to that of laccases of PIeurotus ostreatus and Coriolus hirsutus. The enzyme showed optimal activity at near pH 4.8 and $40^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was stable at pH 7-9 and below $30^{\circ}C$. $K_{M}$ and $k_{cat}$ values for syringaldazine were estimated to be $0.4\mu\textrm{M}$ and 77 sec, respectively. The developed patterns of reaction products of thevenzyme on thin layer chromatography were similar to those of laccase of Pleurotus ostreatus.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1992

We cloned a gene cluster encoding phenanthrene-degrading enzymes on a 6.8-kb Xhol fragment from the Pseudomonas sp. DJ77 chromosomal DNA into the vector pBLUESCRIPT SIC(+). The resultant clone, containing the recombinant plilsmid pHENX7, was able to convert 3-methylcatechol to a yellow mela-cleavage compound. Since the pHENX7R in which the DNA insert was cloned in the opposite orientation lacked extradiol dioxygenase activity. the direction of transcription was established. Four polypeptides, PhnC (24 kDa). PhnD (31 kDa), PhnE (34 kDa). and PhnF (15 kDa), were identified in E coli JM101 transformed with several pHENX7-derived plasmids. The locations and extents of ~ndividual genes were determined by subcloning. The gene order was phnC-phnD-phnE-phnF-phnG, and phnC, phnD, phnE, and phnG genes encoded glutathione S-transferase, mrta-cleavage compound hydrolase, extradiol dioxygenase, mera-cleavage compound dehydrogenase, respectively.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.458-462
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• 2009

Silk fibroin is a structural protein from Bombyx mori and can be sulfated to provide biofunctional polypeptides showing antiviral and anticoagulating activities. However, the sulfated fibroins have not been characterized enough to present their compositions and structures. In this report, sulfation reaction was investigated by varying the reaction temperature and sulfuric acid concentration and analysis of the resulting peptides were carried out. The degree of sulfation was proportion to sulfuric acid concentration but the maximum product yield was obtained at $60^{\circ}C$ and 5% of sulfuric acid concentration. FT-IR spectrum, UV absorption and NMR spectrum support that o-sulfate ester was formed at the hydroxyl group of serine and tyrosine residues. Size exclusion chromatography identified that sulfated fibroin was composed of a highly hydrolyzed polypeptide mixtures and peptides of relatively higher molecular weight.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.473-478
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• 2002

근관내 spirochetes의 존재유무가 명확하게 밝혀져 있지 않았으나 최근 PCR을 사용한 연구에서 Treponema denticola균주가 감염근관의 50% 이상의 경우에서 발견됨에 따라 이 세균이 치수 및 치근단 질환에 관여하는지에 대한 관심 이 높아졌다. 하지만 그 정확한 기전은 아직 밝혀져 있지 않다. 이와 관련하여 Shenker등이 T. denticola의 sonicated extract에서 순수분리된 단백질 (SIP)이 임파구 proliferation을 방해함을 보고한바 있다. 따라서 본 연구의 목적은 면역억제단백질 SIP이 어떤 기전에 의해서 임파구증식을 억제하는지를 밝히는 데 있다. 건강한 혈액 공여자로부터 추출해낸 T세포에 PHA (phytohemagglutinin)로 증식자극을 주게되는데 이 과정에서 SIP을 처리하거나 처리하지 않은 경우를 비교하여 세포주기 진행과정을 유세포분석기 (Becton-Dickinson FACS$^{tarplus}$) 를 통하여 평가하였다. 실험결과 세단계의 chromatography과정을 통해 순수정제된 SIP은 50kDa와 56kDa의 두가지 polypeptide로 구성되어 있고 0.25$\mu\textrm{g}$으로 처리된 T 임파구는 42.5%의 [$^3$H]thymidine incorporation 억제가 그리고, 0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$으로 처리한 경우는 75.1%의 억제가 일어나 dose-dependent한 양상이 나타났다. Propidium iodide와 유세포 분석기를 사용하여 세포주기를 분석한 결과 medium으로만 처리한 경우 97%이상의 임파구는 G$_0$/G$_1$ phase에 머물러 있었으나 PHA자극을 받은 경우 G$_0$/G$_1$ phase에서 58%, S phase에서 34.6%, G$_2$/M phase에서 7.4%로 분포되어 나타났다. SIP으로 전처리한 경우 세포 증식이 감소하여 0.25$\mu\textrm{g}$을 첨가한 경우 75.1%가 G$_0$/G$_1$ phase에 머물러 있었고 더 강한 농도의 0.5$\mu\textrm{g}$을 첨가한 경우는 87.7%가 G$_0$/G$_1$ phase에서 S phase로 진행되지 않고 머물러있었다. 따라서 SIP으로 전처리된 T 임파구는 그 증식이 G$_0$/G$_1$ phase에서 차단된 것으로 보인다. 이러한 면역억제현상이 in vitro 상태뿐 아니라 in vivo에서도 진행된다면 spirochete가 치수 및 치근단 질환의 병인론에 연관된 면역반응저하기전에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 추론할 수 있다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.532-537
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• 2005

Increasing of body weight has been one of the important economic factors in the poultry industry. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a polypeptide that serves to regulate muscle development and body growth. Moreover, IGF-I is related to feed efficiency. However, there are few studies regarding the regulatory roles of chicken IGF-I/-II compared with that of mammals. Especially, the Korean Native Ogol Chicken (KNOC) has a lean body growth and its body weight is generally lighter than the broiler chicken. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate associations among serum IGF-I/-II concentration, feed efficiency, and body growth in KNOC. The body weight and feed intake of KNOC were recorded from 20 to 36 weeks at 2 weeks intervals, and blood was taken every 2 weeks. Serum IGF-I/-II were measured by RIA. Chickens were divided into two groups, high and low serum IGF-I concentration. Generally, feed efficiency and growth performance (body weight and weight gain) in the high serum IGF-I group were higher than those of the low group during the experimental period. In particular, the body weight of the IGF-I high group were significantly different from those of the IGF-I low group at 34 and 36 weeks, respectively (p<0.05). Moreover, body weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency had a significant correlation with serum IGF-I at several weeks (p<0.05 and p<0.01). These results show that IGF-I plays an important role in body growth and suggests a possibility that serum IGF-I could be used as a selection marker for body growth in KNOC.