• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2010

Laser irradiation is known to affect various tissues such as skin, bone, nerve, and skeletal muscle. Laser irradiation promotes ATP synthesis, facilitates wound healing, and stimulates cell proliferation and angiogenesis. In skeletal muscle, laser irradiation is related to the proliferation of skeletal muscle satellite cells. Normal skeletal muscle contains remodeling capacity from myogenic cells that are derived from mononuclear satellite cells. Their processes are activated by the expression of genes related with myogenesis such as muscle-specific transcription factors (MyoD and Myf5) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). In this study, we hypothesized that laser irradiation would enhance and regulate muscle cell proliferation and regeneration through modulation of the gene expressions related with the differentiation of skeletal muscle satellite cells. $C_2C_{12}$ myoblastic cells were exposed to continuous/non-continuous laser irradiation (660nm/808nm) for 10 minutes daily for either 1 day or 5 days. After laser irradiation, cell proliferation and gene expression (MyoD, Myf5, VEGF) were quantified. Continuous 660nm laser irradiation significantly increased cell proliferation and gene expression compared to control, continuous 808nm laser irradiation, and non-continuous 660nm laser irradiation groups. These results indicate that continuous 660nm laser irradiation can be applied to the treatment and regeneration of skeletal muscle tissue.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2005

We have studied the effects of red wine on brain oxidative stress and nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats with a single intraperitonally injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Two weeks before and four weeks after injection, red wine was given orally in both normal and diabetic rats. Blood samples were taken from the neck vascular trunk in order to determine the glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), atherogenic index (AI), total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, insulin, lipid peroxidation products, reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. As well, we estimated the lipid peroxidtion, GSH and SOD, GSH-Px and catalase activities in brain and renal homogenates, and the excretion of albumin, proteins and glucose in urine over 24 h period. The administration of STZ caused significant increases in levels of glycosuria, proteinuria, albuminuria, glycemia, total cholesterol and AI, as well as in lipid peroxidation products in the brain, plasma and kidney, whereas it decreased the GSH content and SOD, GSH-Px and catalase activities. Treatment with red wine significantly prevented the changes induced by STZ. These data suggested that red wine has a protective effect against brain oxidative stress, diabetic nephropathy and diabetes induced by STZ, as well as it protects against hypercholesterolemia and atherogenic risk.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2009

Apolipoprotein (apo) C-III is a marker protein of triacylglycerol (TG)-rich lipoproteins and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and has been proposed as a risk factor of coronary heart disease. To compare the physiologic role of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) with or without apoC-III, we synthesized rHDL with molar ratios of apoA-I:apoC-III of 1:0, 1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2. Increasing the apoC-III content in rHDL produced smaller rHDL particles with a lower number of apoA-I molecules. Furthermore, increasing the molar ratio of apoC-III in rHDL enhanced the surfactant-like properties and the ability to lyse dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine. Furthermore, rHDL containing apoC-III was found to be more resistant to particle rearrangement in the presence of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than rHDL that contained apoA-I alone. In addition, the lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activation ability was reduced as the apoC-III content of the rHDL increased; however, the CE transfer ability was not decreased by the increase of apoC-III. Finally, rHDL containing apoC-III aggravated the production of MDA in cell culture media, which led to increased cellular uptake of LDL. Thus, the addition of apoC-III to rHDL induced changes in the structural and functional properties of the rHDL, especially in particle size and rearrangement and LCAT activation. These alterations may lead to beneficial functions of HDL, which is involved in anti-atherogenic properties in the circulation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2007

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with progressive loss of cognitive function and memory. Amyloid beta peptide ($A{\beta}$) is the major component of senile plaques and is known to exert its cytotoxic effect mainly by producing $H_2O_2$. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain of AD patients, and $H_2O_2$ is one of the factors that induce VEGF. Therefore, we tested whether $A{\beta}$ might be responsible for the increased VEGF synthesis. We found that $A{\beta}$ induced the production of $H_2O_2$ in vitro. Comparison of the amount of $H_2O_2$ required to induce VEGF synthesis in HN33 cells and the amount of $H_2O_2$ produced by $10{\mu}M\;A{\beta}_{1-42}$ in vitro suggested that a toxic concentration of $A{\beta}$ might induce VEGF synthesis in these cells. However, toxic concentrations of $A{\beta}$ failed to induce VEGF synthesis in several cell systems. They also had no effect on antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and peroxiredoxin in HN33 cells. $Cu^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ are known to accumulate in the brains of AD patients and promote aggregation of $A{\beta}$, and $Cu^{2+}$ by itself induces synthesis of VEGF. However, there was no synergistic effect between $Cu^{2+}$ and $A{\beta}_{1-42}$ in the induction of VEGF synthesis and $Zn^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$ also had no effect on the synthesis of VEGF, alone or in combination with $A{\beta}$.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.11
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• pp.837-846
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• 2017

As a component of the neurovascular unit, cerebral smooth muscle cells (CSMCs) are an important mediator in the development of cerebral vascular diseases such as stroke. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are the products of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cytochrome P450 epoxygenase. EETs are shown to exert neuroprotective effects. In this article, the role of EET in the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs and the underlying mechanisms under oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions were addressed. The viability of CMSCs was decreased significantly in the OGD group, while different subtypes of EETs, especially 14,15-EET, could increase the viability of CSMCs under OGD conditions. RAPA (serine/threonine kinase Mammalian Target of Rapamycin), a specific mTOR inhibitor, could elevate the level of oxygen free radicals in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. However, SP600125, a specific JNK (c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase) pathway inhibitor, could attenuate oxygen free radicals levels in CSMCs as well as the anti-apoptotic effects of 14,15-EET under OGD conditions. These results strongly suggest that EETs exert protective functions during the growth and apoptosis of CSMCs, via the JNK/c-Jun and mTOR signaling pathways in vitro. We are the first to disclose the beneficial roles and underlying mechanism of 14,15-EET in CSMC under OGD conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1261-1264
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• 2016

Background: In breast cancer (BC), it has been suggested that nuclear overexpression of p53 protein might be an indicator of poor prognosis. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the expression of p53 BC in Kurdish women from the West of Iran and its correlation with other clinicopathology figures. Materials and Methods: In the present retrospective study, 231 patients were investigated for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity, defined as ${\geq}10%$ positive tumor cells with nuclear staining. A binary logistic regression model was selected using Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) in stepwise selection for determination of important factors. Results: ER, PR, the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and p53 were positive in 58.4%, 55.4%, 59.7% and 45% of cases, respectively. Ki67 index was divided into two groups: 54.5% had Ki67<20% and 45.5% had Ki67 ${\geq}20%$. Of 214 patients, 137(64%) had lymph node metastasis and of 186 patients, 122(65.6%) had vascular invasion. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that there was inverse significant correlation between lymph node metastasis (P=0.008, OR 0.120 and 95%CI 0.025-0.574), ER status (P=0.006, OR 0.080, 95%CI 0.014-0.477) and a direct correlation between HER2 (P=005, OR 3.047, 95%CI 1.407-6.599) with the expression of p53. Conclusions: As in a number of studies, expression of p53 had a inverse correlation with lymph node metastasis and ER status and also a direct correlation with HER2 status. Also, p53-positivity is more likely in triple negative BC compared to other subtypes.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 1992

Nectar secretion from extrafloral nectary cells of Prunus yedoensis was examined by light and electron microscopy. Nectaries were composed of two or three layers of secretory cells and one layer of subsectretory cells. Vascular bundles in the petioles were connected to those of the subsectretory cell layer. Secretory cells had a number of mitochondria with poorly developed cristae. Plastids had little thylakoids and small vesicles, about 0.2 to 0.3 mm in diameter; however, no plastids had starch grains. Calcium oxalate crystals and plasmodesmata were frequently observed in the subsectretory and secretory cells, respectively. And nectar substances were observed in phloem of petiole, subsectretory, and secretory cells of the secretory gland. These results suggested that the nectar moved by symplastic transport through the plasmodesmata. On the other hand, the nectar droplets were observed in the secretory cell walls. in the cuticular layer just beyond of the former, and on the outer surface of the cuticular layer: such observations indicated that a apoplastic movement was involved in the final step of the nectar secretion. Cellular components related to the nectar transport, such as plasma membrane, cell wall and cuticle were not destroyed but intact: it was interpreted as a eccrine secretion.retion.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.10
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• pp.528-533
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• 2017

Peroxiredoxin I (Prx I) plays an important role as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger in protecting and maintaining cellular homeostasis; however, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we identified a critical role of Prx I in protecting cells against ROS-mediated cellular senescence by suppression of $p16^{INK4a}$ expression. Compared to wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (WT-MEFs), Prx $I^{-/-}$ MEFs exhibited senescence-associated phenotypes. Moreover, the aged Prx $I^{-/-}$ mice showed an increased number of cells with senescence associated-${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity in a variety of tissues. Increased ROS levels and SA-${\beta}$-gal activity, and reduction of chemical antioxidant in Prx $I^{-/-}$ MEF further supported an essential role of Prx I peroxidase activity in cellular senescence that is mediated by oxidative stress. The up-regulation of $p16^{INK4a}$ expression in Prx $I^{-/-}$ and suppression by overexpression of Prx I indicate that Prx I possibly modulate cellular senescence through $ROS/p16^{INK4a}$ pathway.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.653-662
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• 2003

Changes in the area of geo-ecosystem $(62^{\circ}09'S,\;58^{\circ}31'w)$ reflect climatic changes in the South Shetland Islands. Air temperature and deglaciation will increase. The ice-free space area at the SSSS 8- (ASPA 121) site has enlarged threefold during the last 21 years, thus creating conditions for inhabitation and succession. Wind, water and snow play important roles in transportation of geochemical components. They distribute nutrients, mineral substances, seeds, fragments of plants and animals, etc. Plant and animal colonization is patchy and it happens at random in an 'island' - like manner. The colonization pattern is dependant, to a high degree on physical factors. The newly uncovered ice-free areas are at first inhabited by a vascular plant known as the Deschampsia antarctica. The border of the land-oasis with Admiralty Bay is the place where the processes related to animal feeding at the sea and reproduction on the land take place. Bird colonies and pinniped lairs form centers of fertilization surrounded by high chemical gradients dependent on the direction of the flow of nutrients $(e.g.\;NH_4)$. During the last 25 years, the numbers of penguins in this region have decreased, and thus the amount of materials excreted on land has diminished. The numbers of fur seals change in multi-annual cycles, and their migration into this area is related to the E1 $Ni\~{n}o$ phenomenon. The numbers of elephant seals in the area did not change. Organic matter deposited by the sea onto the shore are a source of nutrients and deficient chemical elements on land. Mineral matter is washed out into the waters of Admiralty Bay. These processes change seasonally, and multi annually. Negative effects on the environment at Arctowski Station induced by man are slight, but noticeable nevertheless. Physical processes have the largest influence on the living conditions and distribution of plants and animals, and as a consequence, on the functioning of the geo-ecosystem in the coastal-shore zone of the Maritime Antarctic.