• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.949-959
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• 2019

Pistacia weinmannifolia (PW) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat headaches, dysentery, enteritis and influenza. However, PW has not been known for treating respiratory inflammatory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present in vitro analysis confirmed that PW root extract (PWRE) exerts anti-inflammatory effects in phorbol myristate acetate- or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)-stimulated human lung epithelial NCI-H292 cells by attenuating the expression of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-6 and Mucin A5 (MUC5AC), which are closely associated with the pulmonary inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of COPD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of PWRE on pulmonary inflammation induced by cigarette smoke (CS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Treatment with PWRE significantly reduced the quantity of neutrophils and the levels of inflammatory molecules and toxic molecules, including tumor TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, neutrophil elastase and reactive oxygen species, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice with CS- and LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation. PWRE also attenuated the influx of inflammatory cells in the lung tissues. Furthermore, PWRE downregulated the activation of nuclear factor-κB and the expression of phosphodiesterase 4 in the lung tissues. Therefore, these findings suggest that PWRE may be a valuable adjuvant treatment for COPD.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.31 no.1 s.60
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• pp.15-26
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• 1998

p53 is the most frequently mutated gene in female breast cancer tissues and the prognosis of breast cancer could be changed by mutation of the gene. This study was performed to examine risk factors for breast cancer subtypes classified by p53 mutation and to investigate the roles of p53 gene mutation in carcinogenesis of breast cancer. The study subjects were 81 breast cancer patients and 121 controls who were matched to cases 1:1 or 1:2 age, residence, education level and menopausal status. All the subjects were interviewed by a well-trained nurse with standardized questionnaire on reproductive factors, and wire asked to fill the self-administrative food frequency questionnaire. p53 gene mutation in the cancer tissue was screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) method. Mutation type was identified by direct sequencing of the exon of which mobility shift was observed in SSCP analysis. Mutations were detected in p53 gene of 25 breast cancer tissues. By direct sequencing, base substitutions were found in 20 cancer tissues (10 transition and 10 transversion), and frame shift mutations in 5 (4 insertions and 1 deletion). For the whole cases and controls, risk of breast cancer incidence decreased when the parity increased, and increased when intake amount of total calory, fat, or protein increased. Eat and protein were statistically significant risk factors for breast cancer with p53 mutation. For breast cancer without p53 mutation, protein intake was the only significant dietary factor. These results suggest that causes of p53 positive breast lancer would be different from those of p53 negative cancer, and that dietary factors or related hormonal factors induce mutation of p53, which may be the first step of breast cancer development or a promoter following some unidentified genetic mutations.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.1 s.35
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• pp.27-38
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• 2006

We investigated the reproductive cycle with gonad developmental phases of Solen grandis by histological observations. Seasonal changes in biochemical components of the adductor muscle, visceral mass, foot muscle and mantle were studied by biochemical analysis, from January to December, 2005. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (December to January), late active stage (January to March), ripe stage (March to July), partially spawned stage (June to July) and spent/inactive stage (July to December). Total protein content was the highest in the foot muscle, the content was high in January (early active stage), the lowest in April (ripe stage), and was the highest in August (partially spawned stage). In the visceral mass, total protein content began to increase in February (late active stage) and reached a maximum in March (ripe stage). Thereafter, it gradually decreased between June and July (partially spawned stage). There was a strong negative correlation in total protein contents between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.594, p = 0.042). Meanwhile there was a positive correlation between the adductor muscle and foot muscle, the correlation was not statistically significant (r = 0.507, p = 0.093). Total lipid content was the highest in the visceral mass; it was more than 2 to 5-fold higher than that in the adductor muscle, foot muscle, and mantle. Monthly changes in total lipid content were also most dynamic in the visceral mass. It was relatively higher between January and February, showed a maximum in March (the ripe stage), decreased rapidly from April to July (ripe and partially spawned stage), and gradually decreased from September to December (spent/inactive stage). There was a strong positive correlation in total lipid content between foot muscle and adductor muscle (r = 0.639, p = 0.025). Tthough a negative correlation was found between visceral mass and mantle (r = -0.392), the correlation was not statistically significant (p = 0.208). Glycogen contents changed within relatively narrow range and were similar among different tissues. There was no statistically significant correlation in glycogen contents among tissues.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of HPJ extract in C57BL/6J mice. The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (Con), high fat diet control group (HFD), treatment groups with HPJ at 125 mg/kg (HPJ125), 250 mg/kg (HPJ250), or 500 mg/kg (HPJ500). To induce an obesity, mice were fed by a high fat diet for 6 weeks, and mice were administered with HPJ extract once a day for 8 weeks. At the end of treatment, we examined the effect of HPJ extract on body weight, plasma lipid, and lipogenic enzymes. HPJ extract was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and leptin, compared to those in HFD group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of mice treated with HPJ extract revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. In addition, HPJ extract preserved the morphological integrity of pancreatic islets. To elucidate an action mechanism of HPJ extract, Western blot and RT-PCR were performed using epididymal adipose tissues. HPJ extract up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylasse (ACC). HPJ extract also attenuated lipogenic gene expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein $1{\alpha}$ (SREBP$1{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in dose-dependent manners. In contrast, expressions of lipolytic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$) and CD36, and fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) were increased. These results suggest that HPJ extract ameliorates obesity through inhibiting synthesis of lipogenic enzymes as well as stimulating fatty acid oxidation resulting from activation of AMPK, and HPJ extract could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1715-1720
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• 2013

Background: The discovery that microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate proliferation, invasion and metastasis provides a principal molecular basis of tumor heterogeneity. Microvessel distribution is an important characteristic of solid tumors, with significant hypoxia occurring in the center of tumors with low blood flow. The distribution of miR-374a in breast tumors was examined as a factor likely to be important in breast cancer progression. Methods: Breast tissue samples from 40 patients with breast cancer were classified into two groups: a highly invasive and metastatic group (HIMG) and a low-invasive and metastatic Group (LIMG). Samples were collected from the center and edge of each tumor. In each group, six specimens were examined by microRNA array, and the remaining 14 specimens were used for real-time RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Correlation analysis was performed for the miRNAs and target proteins. Follow-up was carried out during 28 months to 68 months after surgery, and survival data were analyzed. Results: In the LIMG, the relative content of miR-374a was lower in the center of the tumor than at its edge; in the HIMG, it was lower at the edge of the tumor, and miR-374a levels were lower in breast cancer tissues than in normal tissues. There was no difference between VEGF-A and VCAM-1 mRNA levels at the edge and center of the tumor; however, we observed a significant difference between VEGF-A and VCAM-1 protein expression levels in these two regions. There was a negative correlation between miR-374a and target protein levels. The microvessel density (MVD) was lower in the center of the tumor than at its edge in HIMG, but the LIMG vessels were uniformly distributed. There was a significant positive correlation between MVD and the number of lymph node metastases (Pearson correlation, r=0.912, P<0.01). The median follow-up time was 48.5 months. LIMG had higher rate of disease-free survival (100%, P=0.013) and longer median survival time (66 months) than HIMG, which had a lower rate of 75% and shorter median survival time (54 months). Conclusions: Our data demonstrated miR-374a to be differentially distributed in breast cancer; VEGF-A and VCAM-1 mRNA had coincident distribution, and the distribution of teh respective proteins was uneven and opposite to that for the miR-374a. These data might explain the differences in the distribution of MVD in breast cancer and variation in breast cancer prognosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.75 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2013

Background: This study was conducted in order to elucidate the effects of docetaxel on the growth of peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) knockdown A549 xenograft tumors and further tested the role of Prx1 as a predictor for how a patient would respond to docetaxel treatment. Methods: Effects of docetaxel on the growth of scrambled- and shPrx1-infected A549 xenograft tumors in nude mice were measured. Moreover, immunohistochemical expression of Prx1 was evaluated in paraffin-embedded tissues from 24 non-small cell lung cancer patients who had received docetaxel-cisplatin regimens as a first-line treatment. Results: Docetaxel treatment in Prx1 knockdown xenograft tumor resulted in reduced tumors growth compared with other groups. Prx1 knockdown increased the production of cleaved caspases-8 and -9 in the control itself compared to scramble tumors. Moreover, docetaxel treatment in Prx1 knockdown tissue led to an increased protein band. Phosphorylated Akt was found in Prx1 scramble tissues. Phosphorylated FOXO1 was detected in the docetaxel treatment group. On the other hand, Prx1 knockdown completely suppressed the Akt-FOXO1 axis. The median progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with low Prx1 expression was 7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.0-7.7), whereas the median progression-free survival of patients with high Prx1 expression was 4 months (95% CI, 4.0-5.0). However, high Prx1 expression was not associated with decreased PFS (p=0.114). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that elevated Prx1 provides resistance to docetaxel treatment through suppression of FOXO1-induced apoptosis in A549 xenograft tumors, but may not be related with the predictive significance for response to docetaxel treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different selenium (Se) products (inorganic, organic A, organic B) added at two supplemental dietary Se levels (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and Se retention in growing-finishing pigs. A $3{\times}2$ factorial arrangement of treatments was used in a RCB design, with a non-Se-fortified basal diet serving as the negative control. A total of 56 crossbred pigs (28 male and 28 female pigs) initially weighing an average $28.45{\pm}0.53kg$ BW were allotted to each treatment with four pigs per pen on the basis of sex and weight. Two pigs per pen were selected and bled from the anterior vena cava at 3- weekly intervals to analyze Se concentration. In the growing phase (0-6 weeks), increased ADFI was observed when pigs were fed organic Se compared to those fed the control diet or inorganic Se treatment (p<0.05). Pigs fed inorganic Se had a great ADFI than pigs fed organic Se (p<0.05) in the late finishing phase (7-12 weeks), although there were no differences in whole period ADFI between organic or inorganic Se products. During 12 weeks of the whole experimental period, serum Se concentration increased linearly when dietary Se level increased regardless of Se products (p<0.05). Both dietary Se source (p<0.05) and Se level (p<0.01) influenced the Se concentration of various pig tissues at end of this experiment and Se content was the highest in the kidney. For the determination of nutrient digestibility, a metabolic trial was conducted in 3 replicates in randomized complete block (RCB) design. A total of 21 barrows ($50.21{\pm}0.62kg$ of average BW) were used in the metabolic study. Selenium supplementation had no effect on nutrient digestibility except for crude protein. Crude protein digestibility increased with dietary supplementation of organic Se (A) compared with other forms of Se products or control diet (p<0.05). Consequently, this experiment indicated that dietary Se products and levels had no effect on growth performance of pigs. Se concentration in tissues and serum was increased in proportion to dietary Se level, especially when organic Se was provided. Although pigs were fed organic forms of Se, bioavailability of organic forms varied among products, consequently bioactivity of organic products to the animals should be evaluated before practical application in animal feed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.159-165
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• 1993

To clarify the effects of sink demand for assimilate on leaf photosynthetic rate, tissue composition, and leaf senescence of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] J plants, pod and leaf tissues were removed at growth stage $R^3$. Plant responses were measured every 10days from 2 through 42days following treatment. Leaves of depodded plants exhibited increased starch and chlorophyll contents and specific leaf weight. Stomatal resistance was also increased and leaf photosynthetic rate was reduced. Dry weight of vegetative tissues except leaves was increased by pod removal. Leaf removal resulted in a decreased starch content of leaves from 22 to 42days after treatment and that of roots at all sampling times. Specific leaf weight was decreased while leaf photosynthetic rate was increased. Stomatal resistance and chlorophyll content were little affected. Weight per seed was decreased 3.0% by leaf removal. Except for the seed, tissue protein contents were increased by pod removal but decreased by leaf removal, however, seed protein content was not affected by either. Apparent senescence was delayed by depodding. Both apparent and functional senescence were accelerated by leaf removal.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 1993

Nitrogenous and non structural carbohydrate compounds in the remaining tissues of 10 weeks old alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in hydroponic culture, were analysed during 24 days of regrowth following shoot removal. The dry weights of the remaining organs were not significantly changed for 10 days following shoot removal. Compared with uncut plants, defoliation drastically depressed root growth, in particular that of taproot. During 6 days of regrowth, nitrogen contents in all remaning organs significantly decreased. Nitrogen loss in this period was pronounced in root system. Nitrogen contents in each organ after 24 days of regrowth in defoliated plant were recovered completely or exceeded initial level. Amino acid-N was the most readily available form of nitrogen while protein-N was the largest storage pool. The tap root contained about 51.0% and 33.4%, respectively, of the total starch and total ethanol-soluble sugar contents. The starch content of tap roots initially exceeded 40.7 mg. plant$^{-1}$ (day 0), and then declined to the minimum level on day 14. This result clearly showed that the tap root is the major storage site for metabolizable nitrogen (protein-N and amino acid-N) and carbohydrate(starch), and that the degradation of these researves occur much actively in the early period of regrowth.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.385-396
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• 2006

For the regeneration of periodontal tissues, the microenvironment for new attachment of connective tissue fibers should be provided, At this point of view, cementum formation in root surface plays a key role for this new attachment. This study was performed to figure out which factor promotes differentiation of cementoblast Considering anatomical structure of tooth, we selected the cells which may affect the differentiation of cementoblast - Ameloblast, OD11&MDPC23 for odontoblasts, NIH3T3 for fibroblsts and MG63 for osteoblasts. And OCCM30 was selected for cementoblast cell line. Then, the cell lines were cultured respectively and transferred the conditioned media to OCCM30. To evaluate the result, Alizarin red S stain was proceeded for evaluation of mineralization. The subjected mRNA genes are bone sialoprotein(BSP), alkaline phosphate(ALP) , osteocalcin(OC), type I collagen(Col I), osteonectin(SPARC ; secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine). Expression of the gene were analysed by RT-PCR, The results were as follows: 1. For alizarin red S staining, control OCCM30 didn't show any mineralized red nodules until 14 days. But red nodules started to appear from about 4 days in MDPC-OCCM30 & OD11-OCCM30. 2. For results of RT-PCR, ESP mRNAs of control-OCCM30 and others were expressed from 14 days, but in MDPC23-OCCM30 & OD11-OCCM30 from 4 days. Like this, the gene expression of MDPC23-OCCM30 & OD11-OCCM30 were detected much earlier than others. 3. For confirmation of odontoblast effect on cementoblast, conditioned media of osteoblasts(MG63) which is mineralized by producing matrix vesicles didn't affect on the mineralized nodule formation of cementoblasts(OCCM30). This suggest the possibility that cementoblast mineralization is regulated by specific factor in dentin matrix protein rather than matrix vesicles. Therefore, we proved that the dentin/odontoblast promotes differentiation/mineralization of cementoblasts. This new approach might hole promise as diverse possibilities for the regeneration of tissues after periodontal disease.