• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1397-1401
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• 2015

Background: To determine the expressions of Tbx3, a member of subgroup belonging to T-box family, and its prognostic value in pancreatic carcinoma. Materials and Methods: We determined the expression levels of Tbx3 on both mRNA and protein levels in 30 pairs of fresh tumor tissues and paratumor tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. In addition, protein level of Tbx3 were identified using immunochemistry in 80 pairs of paraffin-embedded specimen. The correlations between Tbx3 expression and various clinicopathological parameters as well as overall survival were evaluated. Results: Tbx3 mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissues were significantly higher than in the paratumor tissues by qRT-PCR ($0.05{\pm}0.007$ vs. $0.087{\pm}0.001$, p<0.001) and western blotting ($1.134{\pm}0.043$ vs. $0.287{\pm}0.017$, p<0.001). The statistical analysis based on immunohistochemical evaluation suggested that Tbx3 aberrant expression was significantly associated with several conventional clinicopathological variables, such as gender, age, tumor position, preoperative CA19-9 level, pathological T staging and N staging. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that Tbx3 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (<0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that overexpression of Tbx3 is associated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. However, additional clinical trials are needed to accurately validate this observation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.24
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• pp.10621-10625
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• 2015

Background: Increasing evidence has indicated that high Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) level is closely associated with the development, progression, and poor prognosis of a variety of tumors. However, the relationship between FOXC2 and the progression of human gliomas remains to be clarified. The aim of present study was to assess FOXC2 expression and to explore its contribution in human gliomas. Materials and Methods: Realtime quantitative PCR was performed to examine FOXC2 expression in 85 pairs of fresh frozen glioma tissues and corresponding non-neoplastic brain tissues. Associations of FOXC2 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of glioma patients were statistically analyzed. Results: The relative mRNA expression of FOXC2 was significantly higher in glioma tissues than the corresponding non-neoplastic brain tissues (p<0.001). In addition, high FOXC2 expression was significantly associated with advanced pathological grade (P=0.005) and the low Karnofsky performance score (KPS) (p=0.003), correlating with poor survival (p<0.001). Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high FOXC2 expression was an independent predictor of overall survival (p=0.006). Conclusions: FOXC2 may act as an oncogenic gene and represent a potential regulator of aggressive development and a candidate prognostic marker in human gliomas.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.85-92
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• 2004

We investigated the reproductive cycle with gonadal development of the female Cyclina sinensis by histological observations and seasonal changes in biochemical components of the adductor muscle and visceral mass tissues were studied by biochemical analysis, from January to December, 2001. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages: early active stage (February to April), late active stage (March to June), ripe stage (May to August), partially spawned stage (July to October) and spent/inactive stage (September to February). Total protein contents in the adductor muscle tissues reached the maximum in February (early active stage) and appeared the minimum in June (ripe stage), while their contents in the visceral mass tissues reached the maximum in the late active and ripe stages (June) and gradually decreased from July (partially spawned stage) to November (spent/inactive stage). Changes in total protein contents showed a negative correlationship between the adductor muscle and visceral mass tissues (r = -0.499, p = 0.099). Total lipid contents in the adductor muscle tissues reached the maximum in January (the inactive stages) and their contents gradually decreased from February. Their contents in the visceral mass tissues, however, reached the maximum in June (late active and ripe stage) and gradually decreased from July (the partially spawned stage). On the whole, total lipid contents showed a negative correlationship between the adductor muscle and visceral mass tissues (r = -0.631, p < 0.05). Therefore, These results indicate that the nutrient contents of the adductor muscle and visceral muscle tissues change in response to gonadal energy needs. Glycogen contents in the adductor muscle tissue reached the maximum in March (early and late active stages) and decreased from July to September (partially spawned stage). while their contents in the visceral mass tissues reached the maximum in June (late active and ripe stages) and gradually decreased from July (partially spawned stage). Thereafter, their levels gradually increased in November (spent/inactive stage). On the whole, changes in glycogen contents appeared negative correlationship between the adductor muscle and visceral mass tissues. However, they showed no significant different (r = -0.307, p = 0.331).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2319-2324
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• 2012

Aim: To investigate the expression of three components of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway (SHH, SMO and GLI1) in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and evaluate their association with clinicopathologic characteristics of the patients. Methods: Fresh tumor tissues and matched tissues adjacent to the tumor were collected from 43 CRC patients undergoing surgery. Normal colorectal tissues from 20 non-CRC cases were also sampled as normal controls. The expression of SHH, SMO, GLI1 mRNAs was assessed by RT-PCR and proteins were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Associations with clinicopathological characteristics of patients were analyzed. Results: SHH mRNA was expressed more frequently in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, but the difference did not reach significance in comparison to that in the adjacent tissues. SMO and GLI1 mRNAs were expressed more frequently in tumor tissues than in both adjacent andnormal tissues. The expression intensities of SHH, SMO, GLI1 mRNA in tumor tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues and normal tissues. Proteins were also detected more frequently in tumors than other tissues. No significant links were apparent with gender, age, location, degree of infiltration or Dukes stage. Conclusion: Positive rates and intensities of mRNA and protein expression of Hh signaling pathway related genes SHH, SMO, GLI1 were found to be significantly increased in CRC tissues. However, over-expression did not appear to be associated with particular clinicopathological characteristics.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4951-4956
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• 2014

Purpose: To investigate IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and itsassociation with HCC clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes. Methods: IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 mRNA and protein were measured in HCC tissues, para-tumor tissues and normal tissues by RT-PCR and Western blotting. We further examined 150 HCC samples with adjacent para-tumor tissues and 11 normal specimens by immunohistochemistry to evaluate the correlation of IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Results: IQGAP1 mRNA and protein were up-regulated while IQGAP2 mRNA and protein were down-regulated in human HCC tissues compared with para-tumor and normal liver tissues (p<0.05). IQGAP1 expression was higher in primary HCC (122/150, 81.3%) than matched adjacent tissues (30/150, 20%, p<0.001), whereas IQGAP2 was lower (31/150, 20.7% as compared to 112/150, 74.7%, P<0.001). Positive IQGAP1 expression correlated with larger tumor size (p=0.002), advanced TNM stage (p=0.002) and tumor differentiation (III and IV, p=0.034). Negative IQGAP2 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size (p=0.009), multicentric tumor occurrence (p=0.01), advanced TNM stage (0.009) and tumor differentiation (III and IV, p=0.020). Survival analysis revealed that patients with either IQGAP1+ or IQGAP2-tumors had significantly reduced disease-free survival (p<0.001 and 0.006 respectively) and overall survival (p<0.001 for both). Multivariate analysis showed that IQGAP1/2 switch was an independent prognosis factor for disease-free survival (HR=2.824) and overall survival (HR=2.189). Conclusion: Positive IQGAP1 and negative IQGAP2 expression were closely correlated with tumor progression and could be used as adjunctive biomarkers to improve prognostication for HCC patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.382-395
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• 2007

The herb, Cajanus indicus L, is well known for its hepatoprotective action. A 43 kD protein has been isolated, purified and partially sequenced from the leaves of this herb. A number of in vivo and in vitro studies carried out in our laboratory suggest that this protein might be a major component responsible for the hepatoprotective action of the herb. Our successive studies have been designed to evaluate the potential efficacy of this protein in protecting the hepatic as well as renal tissues from the sodium fluoride (NaF) induced oxidative stress. The experimental groups of mice were exposed to NaF at a dose of 600 ppm through drinking water for one week. This exposure significantly altered the activities of the antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and the cellular metabolites such as reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), total thiols, lipid peroxidation end products in liver and kidney compared to the normal mice. Intraperitoneal administration of the protein at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight for seven days followed by NaF treatment (600 ppm for next seven days) normalized the activities of the hepato-renal antioxidant enzymes, the level of cellular metabolites and lipid peroxidation end products. Post treatment with the protein for four days showed that it could help recovering the damages after NaF administration. Time-course study suggests that the protein could stimulate the recovery of both the organs faster than natural process. Effects of a known antioxidant, vitamin E, and a non-relevant protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA) have been included in the study to validate the experimental data. Combining all, result suggests that NaF could induce severe oxidative stress both in the liver and kidney tissues in mice and the protein possessed the ability to attenuate that hepato-renal toxic effect of NaF probably via its antioxidant activity.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 1999

Objectives: The development of thyroid tumor has a relationship with carcinogen, oncogene and tumor suppressor gene. With aminotriazole, radioactive iodine and nitrosomethylurea as carcinogens in rat, authors investigate the incidence in type of the thyroid tumors, p21 and p53 protein expression pattern by immunohistochemical stain and the relationship between the tumors and p21-p53 protein expressions. Materials and Methods: 80 experimental animals were divided into four groups; group 1(control, no carcinogen, n=20), group 2(oral administration of aminotriazole for 36 weeks, n=20), group 3(intraperitoneal injection of 131I for one time and oral administration of aminotriazole for 36 weeks, n=20), group 4(oral administration of nitrosomethylurea for 3 days and aminotriazole for 36 weeks, n=20). After 40 weeks they were sacrificed with pathologic examination and we performed immunohistochemical staining with pan-ras monoclonal antibody for p21 protein and CMI polyclonal antibody for p53 protein with paraffin-embedded specimens. Results: 1) No tumors were observed in group I, but 38.3% of nodular goiters, 11.7% of adenomas and 50.0% of carcinomas were observed in carcinogen treated groups(group 2, 3, 4). 2) The incidence of nodular goiter, adenoma and carcinoma were 70%, 20% and 10% in group 2, 40%, 15% and 45% in group 3 and 5%, 0% and 95% in group 4. 3) p21 protein was not expressed in normal thyroid tissues but was expressed in 26.1% of nodular goiters, 42.9% of adenomas and 6.7% of carcinomas. On the other hands, p53 protein was not expressed in normal thyroid tissues, nodular goiters, adenomas and in well differentiated thyroid carcinomas by immunohistochemical stain. Conclusion: The authors suggest that aminotrizole, 131I, nitrosomethylurea can be etiologic agents in the development of thyroid tumor and the p21 protein can be expressed in the early stage and in benign condition of thyroid tumor but p53 protein is not expressed in all conditions of development in rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1006-1008
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• 2013

A novel recombinant baculovirus vector system containing coding genes for polyhedron promoter, vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSVG), polyA, cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), and protein transduction domain (PTD) was constructed. We applied this recombinant baculovirus vector into cells and murine tissues and compared efficacy of gene transfer and expression of this recombinant baculovirus vector system with control vector system. From this result, we confirmed that this novel recombinant baculovirus vector system was very effective than control vector system.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1039-1049
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• 2007

Overdoses of acetaminophen cause hepato-renal oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of a 43 kDa protein isolated from the herb Cajanus indicus, against acetaminophen-induced hepatic and renal toxicity. Male albino mice were treated with the protein for 4 days (intraperitoneally, 2 mg/kg body wt) prior or post to oral administration of acetaminophen (300 mg/kg body wt) for 2 days. Levels of different marker enzymes (namely, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were measured in the experimental sera. Intracellular reactive oxygen species production and total antioxidant activity were also determined from acetaminophen and protein treated hepatocytes. Indices of different antioxidant enzymes (namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase) as well as lipid peroxidation end-products and glutathione were determined in both liver and kidney homogenates. In addition, Cytochrome P450 activity was also measured from liver microsomes. Finally, histopathological studies were performed from liver sections of control, acetaminophen-treated and protein pre- and post-treated (along with acetaminophen) mice. Administration of acetaminophen increased all the serum markers and creatinine levels in mice sera along with the enhancement of hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation. Besides, application of acetaminophen to hepatocytes increased reactive oxygen species production and reduced the total antioxidant activity of the treated hepatocytes. It also reduced the levels of antioxidant enzymes and cellular reserves of glutathione in liver and kidney. In addition, acetaminophen enhanced the cytochrome P450 activity of liver microsomes. Treatment with the protein significantly reversed these changes to almost normal. Apart from these, histopathological changes also revealed the protective nature of the protein against acetaminophen induced necrotic damage of the liver tissues. Results suggest that the protein protects hepatic and renal tissues against oxidative damages and could be used as an effective protector against acetaminophen induced hepato-nephrotoxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.195-200
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• 2013

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteines-like protein 1 (SPARCL1), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several disorders including cancer. However, little is known about the expression and significance of SPARCL1 in human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the expression pattern and clinicopathological significance of SPARCL1 in a Chinese breast cancer cohort. mRNA and protein expression of SPARCL1 in human breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer tissues was detected using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, real-time quantitative PCR, and Western blotting, respectively. Immunostaining of SPARCL1 in 282 Chinese breast cancer samples was examined and associations with clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Compared to the positive expression in immortalized human breast epithelial cells, SPARCL1 was nearly absent in human breast cancer cell lines. Similarly, a significantly reduced expression of SPARCL1 was observed in human breast cancer tissues compared to that in normal breast epithelial tissues, for both mRNA and protein levels (P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that strong cytoplasmic immunostaining of SPARCL1 was observed in almost all normal breast samples (43/45) while moderate and strong immunostaining of SPARCL1 was only detected in 191 of 282 (67.7%) breast cancer cases. Moreover, down-regulation of SPARCL1 was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.020) and poor grade (P = 0.044). In conclusion, SPARCL1 may be involved in the breast tumorigenesis and serve as a promising target for therapy of breast cancer.