Search

Background: Panax ginseng is a marvelous herbal remedy for all ailments of body. That may be why it is called Panax, which means “cure for all”. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to our skin; however, increased melanin production can lead to tumor formation. Human exposure to ultraviolet B radiation has increased extensively owing to the increased sunlight due to global warming. Consequently, a phenomenon called photoaging has been observed for all skin colors and types. As a result of this phenomenon, a set of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases, which serve as degradation enzymes for extracellular matrix proteins, mainly collagen, is increased, causing depletion of collagen and resulting in early wrinkle formation. Methods: Therefore, in our study, we used the murine melanoma cell line B16/F10 to study the inhibition of melanogenesis by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in vitro and HRM-2 hairless mice exposed to artificial ultraviolet B to examine the efficacy of KRG in vivo. We prepared a 3% red ginseng extract cream and evaluated its effects on human skin. Results: Our results demonstrated that KRG induced potent suppression of tyrosinase activity and melanin production in B16/F10 cells; moreover, it reduced the transcription and translation of components involved in the melanin production pathway. In the in vivo experiments, KRG potently suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinases, reduced wrinkle formation, and inhibited collagen degradation. On human skin, ginseng cream increased skin resilience and skin moisture and enhanced skin tone. Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that KRG is an excellent skin whitening and antiaging product. Keywords: Antiaging, Human trials, Korean Red Ginseng extract, Melanogenesis, Wrinkles

To investigate pro-environmental health perceptions, behaviour and educational needs among pregnant women in Korea.Based on concerns about the effects of environmental hazards and pollution on their babies and themselves, pregnant women behave in ways that protect their health. The framework of this study was based on Rogers' protection motivation theory.Cross-sectional survey using questionnaires.The sample comprised 358 pregnant women recruited from July - August 2018 in South Korea. Participants were recruited from prenatal classes at two healthcare centres and patients receiving prenatal check-ups at two women's hospitals.Perceived educational needs were ranked in the following order: particulate matter (23.7%), electromagnetic waves (11.7%), instant food (food additives) (9.0%) and environmental hormones (8.3%). Age (β = 0.17, p = .001), perceived severity (β = 0.19, p = .001) and response efficacy (β = 0.28, p .001) affected pro-environmental behaviour, which explained 23.0% of the variance.Educational programs are necessary for mitigating environmental risks during pregnancy. Pregnant women engage in pro-environmental behaviour influenced by pro-environmental perceptions, especially perceptions of severity regarding environmental diseases and the efficacy of health behavioural responses. Nursing professionals can use these results to promote pro-environmental health in pregnant women.This study demonstrated that pregnant women need environmental health programs in prenatal education. Pro-environmental perceptions regarding the severity of the environmental diseases and behavioural efficacy preceded the formation of environmental health behaviours. Nurses should support pregnant women's environmental health through educational interventions including air, electromagnetic, food pollution and endocrine disruptors.目的: 调查韩国孕妇对支持环保的健康认知、行为和教育需求。 背景: 基于对环境危害和污染对婴儿和自身影响的担忧,孕妇会采取偏向保护其自身健康的行为。本研究的框架基于罗杰斯的保护动机理论。 设计: 问卷形式的横断式调查。 方法: 对韩国2018年7月至8月招募的358名孕妇进行抽样调查。从两家保健中心参加产前课程和两家妇女医院接受产前检查的患者中招募受访者。 结果: 观念教育需求按以下顺序排列:颗粒物(23.7%)、电磁波(11.7%)、方便食品(食品添加剂)(9.0%)和环境激素(8.3%)。年龄(β = 0.17,p =0.001)、感知严重度(β = 0.19, p =0.001)和反应效能(β = 0.28, p0.001)对于支持环保的行为具有影响作用,共占23.0%。 结论: 教育计划是怀孕期间减轻环境风险的必要措施。参与支持环保行为的孕妇受到支持环保观念的影响,特别是对环境疾病的严重程度和健康行为反应的有效性的观念。护理专业人员可以利用这些结果来促进孕妇支持环保的健康行为。 影响: 本研究表明孕妇在产前教育中需要开展环保健康计划。在支持环保的健康行为形成前,需要建立对环境疾病的严重程度和行为效能相关支持环保的认识。护士应通过教育干预的方式,包括空气、电磁、食物污染和内分泌干扰物,支持孕妇的支持环保的健康行为。.

Dietary cholesterol augments the lipid profile and induces the production and activation of platelets, leading to the development of atherosclerosis with detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. Ethnomedicine and Mediterranean diets are natural and cost-effective approaches against several ailments including cardiovascular diseases. In addition, fermented foods have attracted interest due to their increased nutrient profile and enhanced bioavailability and efficacy. Garlic is known to reduce cholesterol and inhibit platelet activation. Therefore, we examined whether fermented garlic could effectively ameliorate the effects of hypercholesterolemia and platelet functions in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and treated with spirulina and fermented and nonfermented preparations of garlic for one month. Platelet aggregation and granule secretion were assessed to evaluate platelet activation. Analysis of the liver and kidney weights and lipid and enzymatic profiles of the serum and whole blood analysis was performed. The expression levels of SREBP-2, ACAT-2, and HMG-CoA were assessed by RT-PCR, while ACAT-1 and ACAT-2 were assessed by real-time PCR, and histological changes in the liver and adipose tissues were analyzed. Both fermented and nonfermented garlic inhibited platelet aggregation and granule secretion; however, fermented garlic exhibited a greater inhibitory effect. In comparison with nonfermented garlic, fermented garlic significantly reduced liver weight and triglyceride concentrations. Fermented garlic also markedly abrogated the detrimental effects of steatosis on liver and adipose tissues. We conclude that fermented garlic significantly improved the lipid profile and modulated platelet functions, thereby inhibiting atherosclerosis- and platelet-related cardiovascular disorders.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative bacterium found in the human oral cavity and is responsible for the development of chronic periodontitis as well as neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Given the significance of the roles of P. gingivalis in AD pathogenesis, it is critical to understand the underlying mechanisms of P. gingivalis-driven neuroinflammation and their contribution to neurodegeneration. Herein, we hypothesize that P. gingivalis produces secondary metabolites that may cause neurodegeneration through direct or indirect pathways mediated by microglia. To test our hypothesis, we treated human neural cells with bacterial conditioned media on our brain platforms and assessed microgliosis, astrogliosis and neurodegeneration. We found that bacteria-mediated microgliosis induced the production of nitric oxide, which causes neurodegeneration assessed with high pTau level. Our study demonstrated the elevation of detrimental protein mediators, CD86 and iNOS and the production of several pro-inflammatory markers from stimulated microglia. Through inhibition of LPS and succinate dehydrogenase in a bacterial conditioned medium, we showed a decrease in neurodegenerative microgliosis. In addition, we demonstrated the bidirectional effect of microgliosis and astrogliosis on each other exacerbating neurodegeneration. Overall, our study suggests that the mouth-brain axis may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.

Purpose This study investigated the effect of internet-based prenatal interventions among pregnant women. Methods Articles regarding randomized controlled trials of internet-based prenatal education interventions were investigated through a systematic review. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase, ERIC, and RISS on material published between 1985 and 2020. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed papers in English regarding randomized controlled trials of internet-based prenatal education interventions. The exclusion criteria were studies in which high-risk pregnant women participated, interventions that were conducted face-to-face or only involved telephone contact, and studies that reported outcomes related to the baby’s health. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2.0 methodology checklist. Results Heterogeneity testing suggested a homogeneous sample (I2 = 0%, p = .45). Meta-analysis through standardized mean differences showed that six studies had an effect on postpartum depression, with an effect size of −0.16 (95% CI, −0.26 to −0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that internet-based prenatal interventions had an impact on maternal depression during the postpartum period. Therefore, antenatal care involving mobile-, web-, and internet-based materials may reduce maternal depressive symptoms.

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and [Ca2+]i mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

// Eun Hee Han 1, 2, 6, * , Jin-Young Min 1, 3, * , Shin-Ae Yoo 1 , Sung-Joon Park 1 , Yun-Jeong Choe 1, 2 , Hee Sub Yun 1 , Zee-Won Lee 1 , Sun Woo Jin 4 , Hyung Gyun Kim 4 , Hye Gwang Jeong 4 , Hyun Kyoung Kim 5 , Nam Doo Kim 5 and Young-Ho Chung 1, 3, 6 1 Drug & Disease Target Research Team, Division of Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju 28119, South Korea 2 Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korean Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, South Korea 3 Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea 4 Department of Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University (CNU), Daejeon 34133, South Korea 5 New Drug Development Center, Daugu Gyeoungbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (DGMIF), Daegu 41061, South Korea 6 Department of Bioanalytical Science, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, South Korea * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Young-Ho Chung, email: chungyh@kbsi.re.kr Keywords: AURKC, protein–protein interaction, IκBα, small-molecule inhibitor, breast cancer Received: December 29, 2016 Accepted: June 05, 2017 Published: June 29, 2017 ABSTRACT The Aurora kinases, Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB), and Aurora C (AURKC), are serine/threonine kinases required for the control of mitosis (AURKA and AURKB) or meiosis (AURKC). Several Aurora kinase inhibitors are being investigated as novel anticancer therapeutics. Recent studies demonstrated that AURKC activation contributes to breast cancer cell transformation. Therefore, AURKC is both a promising marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer; however, its signaling network has not been fully characterized. Using translocation-based cellular assays, we identified IκBα as a binding partner of AURKC, and found that AURKC phosphorylates IκBα at Ser32, thereby activating it. In silico modeling and computational analyses revealed a small-molecule inhibitor (AKCI) that blocked the AURKC–IκBα interaction and exerted antitumor activity in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Specifically, AKCI induced G2/M cell-cycle arrest through modulation of the p53/p21/CDC2/cyclin B1 pathways. In addition, the drug significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell migration and invasion, as well as decreasing colony formation and tumor growth. Via its interaction with IκBα, AURKC indirectly induced NF-κB activation; accordingly, AKCI decreased PMA-induced activation of NF-κB. Thus, the small-molecule inhibitor AKCI represents a first step towards developing targeted inhibitors of AURKC protein binding, which may lead to further advances in the treatment of breast cancer.

Compromised protein folding capacity in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to a protein traffic jam that produces a toxic environment called ER stress. However, the ER smartly handles such a critical situation by activating a cascade of proteins responsible for sensing and responding to the noxious stimuli of accumulated proteins. The ER protein load is higher in secretory cells, such as liver hepatocytes, which are thus prone to stress-mediated toxicity and various diseases, including alcohol-induced liver injury, fatty liver disease, and viral hepatitis. Therefore, we discuss the molecular cues that connect ER stress to hepatic diseases. Moreover, we review the literature on ER stress-regulated miRNA in the pathogenesis of liver diseases to give a comprehensive overview of mechanistic insights connecting ER stress and miRNA in the context of liver diseases. We also discuss currently discovered regulated IRE1 dependent decay in regulation of hepatic diseases.

Transmembrane B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein inhibitor motif-containing (TMBIM) 6, a Ca2+ channel-like protein, is highly up-regulated in several cancer types. Here, we show that TMBIM6 is closely associated with survival in patients with cervical, breast, lung, and prostate cancer. TMBIM6 deletion or knockdown suppresses primary tumor growth. Further, mTORC2 activation is up-regulated by TMBIM6 and stimulates glycolysis, protein synthesis, and the expression of lipid synthesis genes and glycosylated proteins. Moreover, ER-leaky Ca2+ from TMBIM6, a unique characteristic, is shown to affect mTORC2 assembly and its association with ribosomes. In addition, we identify that the BIA compound, a potentialTMBIM6 antagonist, prevents TMBIM6 binding to mTORC2, decreases mTORC2 activity, and also regulates TMBIM6-leaky Ca2+, further suppressing tumor formation and progression in cancer xenograft models. This previously unknown signaling cascade in which mTORC2 activity is enhanced via the interaction with TMBIM6 provides potential therapeutic targets for various malignancies., TMBIM6, a member of the transmembrane BI-1 motif-containing family of proteins, is overexpressed in many cancer types. Here, the authors show that TMBIM6 regulates AKT activation through mTORC2 assembly and ribosome association and identify an antagonist of TMBIM6 with anti-tumor properties.

Background: Cancers with copy-gain drug-target genes are excellent candidates for targeted therapy. In order to search for new predictive marker genes, we investigated the correlation between sensitivity to targeted drugs and the copy gain of candidate target genes in NCI-60 cells. Methods: For eight candidate genes showing copy gains in NCI-60 cells identified in our previous study, sensitivity to corresponding target drugs was tested on cells showing copy gains of the candidate genes. Results: Breast cancer cells with Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)-copy-gain showed a significantly higher sensitivity to the target inhibitor, FAK inhibitor 14 (F14). In addition, treatment of F14 or FAK-knockdown showed a specific apoptotic effect only in breast cancer cells showing FAK-copy-gain. Expression-profiling analyses on inducible FAK shRNA-transfected cells showed that FAK/AKT signaling might be important to the apoptotic effect by target inhibition. An animal experiment employing a mouse xenograft model also showed a significant growth-inhibitory effect of F14 on breast cancer cells showing FAK-copy-gain, but not on those without FAK-copy-gain. Conclusion: FAK-copy-gain may be a predictive marker for FAK inhibition therapy in breast cancer.

This study aimed to investigate the factors that affect suicidal ideation among middle-aged Korean women in an urban-rural province.This study used a convenience sample consisting of 196 middle-aged Korean women who live in Gyeonggi Province. Data were collected between November 2013 and January 2014.There were significant correlations among social relationships (r=-.18, p=.013), previous experiences of violence (r=.15, p=.032), subjective happiness (r=-.36, p.001), depression (r=.44, p.001), and suicidal ideation. Economic status, subjective happiness, and depression were found to have an effect on suicidal ideation (R(2)=.26).The study's results demonstrate that there needs to be greater focus on middle-aged women when considering mental health interventions in rural areas of Korea. The results may also contribute to the development of improved interventions for psychological health care.

PURPOSE This study aimed to develop and examine the effects of a prenatal program on environmental health behavior using cartoon comics among Korean pregnant women. METHODS This study used a non-equivalent control group pre-test/post-test design. The program used cartoon comics to explore environmental health behaviors during pregnancy. The program consisted of the following four components: environmental toxicants during pregnancy, avoiding particulate matter during pregnancy, environmental toxicants during baby care, and making a healthy environment for children. In total, 35 pregnant women participated in the study: 18 in the experimental group and 17 in the control group. Data collection and program adaptation were conducted between November 3, 2020 and January 19, 2021. The effect of the prenatal education program was evaluated by t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS Learning experience (t = - 2.35, p = .025), feasibility (t = - 2.46, p = .019), satisfaction (t = - 2.23, p = .032) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group in the first post-test. Feasibility (t = - 2.40, p = .022) was higher in the experimental group than in the control group in the second post-test. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant interactions between time and group in environmental susceptibility (F = 9.31, p < .001), self-efficacy (F = 3.60, p = .033), and community behavior (F = 5.41, p = .007). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the need for a prenatal education program to promote environmental health perceptions and behavior during pregnancy. We suggest a prenatal class adopting the creative cartoon comics to promote the maternal environmental health behaviors.

Study question Is the Transmembrane BAX Inhibitor Motif-6 (TMBIM6) involved in the molecular mechanism by which cisplatin causes reproductive toxicity? Summary answer TMBIM6 protects against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity through up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),-which maintains the levels of steroidogenic enzymes by decreaseing oxidative stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). What is known already Testosterone production is highly suppressed as a main complication of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum) anticancer therapy. Study design, size, duration Groups of seven wild type or Tmbim6 KO C57BL/6J mice were given a single i.p., injection of cisplatin (30 mg/kg body wt) and testis and serum were collected 3 days later. Tmbim6-lentivirus-mediated testicular expression-rescued KO mice were analyzed to confirm function was restored. Tmbim6-over expressing TM3 mouse Leydig cells were exposed to cisplatin in vitro. Participants/materials, setting, methods After collection of the specimens serum testosterone level and testicular weight and structure were compared between the groups. Quantitative PCR, immunoblot, and assays for ROS, HO-1 activity and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) carbonylation were performed. Main results and the role of chance Phospho protein kinase B (p-Akt), nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NFE2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and its downstream gene product HO-1 and the levels of testosterone synthesis-associated enzymes, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), a rate limiting enzyme for testosterone production, were significantly expressed in the presence of Tmbim6 and maintained after cisplatin treament. Excessive post-translational oxidation of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), altered folding capacitance and ROS accumulation, and ER stress were also decreased in the presence of Tmbim6. Higher levels of ER stress and protein hypercarbonylation were consistently observed in KO testis, compared with WT testis. In the Tmbim6 KO mice, lentivirus-mediated testicular expression of Tmbim6 rescued the above phenotypes. Furthermore, the protective role of Tmbim6 against testicular toxicity was consistently shown in Tmbim6-overexpressing TM3 Leydig cells (testosterone producing cells). We conclude that TMBIM6 protects against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity by inducing HO-1 and enhancing ER folding capacitance. Large scale data N/A. Limitations, reasons for caution This study was performed using a short, 3-day cisplatin treatment condition. Therefore, the results need to be cautiously interpreted with regard to cisplatin-associated chronic toxicity. Moreover, to determine the clinical relevance of the role of TMBIM6, further studies in testicular cancer are needed. Wider implications of the findings Cisplatin-associated ER stress and redox imbalance might be implicated as toxicity mechanisms associated with anticancer therapy. Study funding/competing interest(s) This study was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (2015R1A2A1A13001849). The authors have no competing interests to disclose.

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction according to gender difference in Korean patients with cancer. METHODS: In this study, a convenience sample of Korean patients with cancer who visited hospitals in J City was used. Data were collected between September and December 2012using structured questionnaires: Sexual frequency scale and General sexual satisfaction index (GSSI). RESULTS: Over half of the patients reported loss of sexual desire and changes in sexual behaviors. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction among the male patients, compared to the female patients (t=2.34, p=.020). There were significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors (male patients r=.45, p

Transmembrane Bax Inhibitor Motif-containing 6 (TMBIM6) is upregulated in several cancer types and involved in the metastasis. Specific downregulation of TMBIM6 results in cancer cell death. However, the TMBIM6 gene transcriptional regulation in normal and cancer cells is least studied. Here, we identified the core promoter region (&minus, 133/+30 bp) sufficient for promoter activity of TMBIM6 gene. Reporter gene expression with mutations at transcription factor binding sites, EMSA, supershift, and ChIP assays demonstrated that Sp1 is an essential transcription factor for basal promoter activity of TMBIM6. The TMBIM6 mRNA expression was increased with Sp1 levels in a concentration dependent manner. Ablation of Sp1 through siRNA or inhibition with mithramycin-A reduced the TMBIM6 mRNA expression. We also found that the protein kinase-C activation stimulates promoter activity and endogenous TMBIM6 mRNA by 2- to 2.5-fold. Additionally, overexpression of active mutants of PKC&iota, PKC&epsilon, and PKC&delta, increased TMBIM6 expression by enhancing nuclear translocation of Sp1. Immunohistochemistry analyses confirmed that the expression levels of PKC&iota, Sp1, and TMBIM6 were correlated with one another in samples from human breast, prostate, and liver cancer patients. Altogether, this study suggests the involvement of Sp1 in basal transcription and PKC in the enhanced expression of TMBIM6 in cancer.

Eclipta alba(L.) Hassk,Asiasarum sieboldii(Miq.) F. Maek (Asiasari radix), andPanax ginsengC. A. Mey (red ginseng) are traditionally acclaimed for therapeutic properties of various human ailments. Synergistic effect of each standardized plant extract was investigated for hair growth potential on nude mice, as these mutant mice genetically lack hair due to abnormal keratinization. Dried plant samples were ground and extracted by methanol. Topical application was performed on the back of nude mice daily up to completion of two hair growth generations. The hair density and length ofEclipta albatreated mice were increased significantlyP>0.001than control mice. Hair growth area was also distinctly visible inEclipta albatreated mice. On the other hand,Asiasari radixandPanax ginsengtreated mice developing hair loss were recognized from the abortive boundaries of hair coverage. Histomorphometric observation of nude mice skin samples revealed an increase in number of hair follicles (HFs). The presence of follicular keratinocytes was confirmed by BrdU labeling, S-phase cells in HFs. Therefore,Eclipta albaextract and/or phytochemicals strongly displayed incomparability of hair growth promotion activity than others. Thus, the standardizedEclipta albaextract can be used as an effective, alternative, and complementary treatment against hair loss.

As a consequence of increased obesity prevalence, diabetes mellitus (DM) has become one of the most common diseases in humans. Acanthopanax senticosus is a species of small, woody shrub in the family Araliaceae and has been used as a medicinal plant. In a preliminary study, we found that extracts from A. senticosus fermented with Phellinus linteus (ASPL) had the most potent effects against diabetes as compared to other fermented or crude extracts. In the present investigation, the effects of ASPL on mice and rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes was evaluated. Type I DM was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of STZ that has direct toxic effect on pancreatic β cells in mice and rats. Seven days after injection, blood glucose level of the diabetic mice was significantly higher than those of the control animals (387.6 and 85.5 mg/dl, respectively). ASPL was orally administered for 14 days in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Daily administration of the extracts for 14 days significantly reduced blood glucose levels of the diabetic mice (213 mg/dl), whereas glucose levels of the untreated diabetic mice were unchanged (404 mg/dl). Moreover, serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALT), aspartate aminotrasferase (AST), total cholesterol, and low- density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly reduced in ASPL-treated mice comparing to the diabetic control. Oral administration with ASPL also reduced weight of thrombi in the arteriovenous shunt model of rat. In conclusion, our data suggest that fermented A. senticosus extract can ameliorate diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and thrombogenesis. Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Acanthopanax senticosus, fermentation, thrombosis, oxidative stress.

// Joon-Suk Park 1, * , ChuHee Lee 2, * , Hyun-Kyoung Kim 3, * , Dayea Kim 3 , Jung Beom Son 3 , Eunhwa Ko 3 , Joong-Heui Cho 3 , Nam-Doo Kim 3 , Hong-Yan Nan 2 , Choong-Yong Kim 1 , Sukkyoon Yoon 3 , Sun-Hwa Lee 3 , Hwan Geun Choi 3 1 Laboratory Animal Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, South Korea 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Daegu, South Korea 3 New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, South Korea * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Sun-Hwa Lee, email: sunhlee@dgmif.re.kr Hwan Geun Choi, email: hgchoi@dgmif.re.kr Keywords: breast cancer, metastasis, AXL, signal transduction, kinase inhibitor Received: April 25, 2016 Accepted: October 21, 2016 Published: November 04, 2016 ABSTRACT Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease occurring in women and represents a substantial proportion of the global cancer burden. In these patients, metastasis but not the primary tumor is the main cause of breast cancer-related deaths. Here, we report the novel finding that DN10764 (AZD7762, a selective inhibitor of checkpoint kinases 1 and 2) can suppress breast cancer metastasis. In breast cancer cells, DN10764 inhibited cell proliferation and GAS6-mediated AXL signaling, consequently resulting in suppressed migration and invasion. In addition, DN10764 induced caspase 3/7-mediated apoptosis in breast cancer cells and inhibited tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Finally, DN10764 significantly suppressed the tumor growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells in in vivo metastasis models. Taken together, these data suggest that therapeutic strategies targeting AXL in combination with systemic therapies could improve responses to anti-cancer therapies and reduce breast cancer recurrence and metastases.

Background Improvement of additional immunization rate is indicated as an important factor for effective immunization of diseases. In this study, the relationship between retention of mother and child health handbook and additional immunization rate of Japanese encephalitis and tetanus was examined. Methods A survey via questionnaire was performed against parents of students of middle schools in Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do, and elementary schools in Seoul. Among 350 copies of the questionnaire delivered via post mail, 261 copies were collected and used in the analysis. The questionnaire included general features of subjects and their children, retention of the mother and child health handbook, and recognition of additional immunization of the Japanese encephalitis and tetanus vaccine. Results It was found that 80.8% of subjects answered affirmative to retaining the mother and child health handbook, and the group retaining the handbook had higher recognition rate of the need for additional immunization than the group that did not, for the Japanese encephalitis vaccine (83.2% vs. 51.2%, P < 0.001) and for the tetanus vaccine (66.5% vs. 31.7%, P < 0.001). Although the group retaining the handbook had a significantly higher additional immunization rate of the tetanus vaccine of 48.6% vs. 17.1% (P = 0.001), the immunization rate of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine did not show a significant difference (P = 0.231). The group recognizing the need for additional immunization of the Japanese encephalitis and tetanus vaccine had a significantly higher additional immunization rate than the counterpart (P < 0.001). Conclusion It was considered that retention of the mother and child health handbook was related to recognition and execution of additional immunizations.

Background: Although considerable insight has been gamed into Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) as an important etiologic factor in various tumors, virtually little is known about the relationship between EBV genes and oral tumors. Method: Thirty-two cases of nonodontogenic tumor (16 squamous cell carcinomas, 11 salivary gland tumors, 1 malignant lymphoma, 1 spindle cell sarcoma, 1 osteogenic sarcoma, 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma and 1 verrucous carcinoma), 17 cases of odontogenic tumor (17 ameloblastomas, the most important and common type of odontogenic tumor) and 12 cases of normal oral tissue (8 normal gingival tissues and other oral mucosa) were examined for the presence of EBV-DNA, with primers specific for the BamW, BNRF1, BMLF1, BamC, IR3, BMRF1, EBNA-2A BamhY, and EBNA-2B BamhY region of the EBV genome by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Fifty-three percent (17/32) of nonodontogenic tumors, forty-eight percent (8/17) of ameloblastomas, and ninety-two percent (11/12) of normal oral tissues were positive for EBV-DNA. Of the EBV-DNA, BMLF1 demonstrated the strongest reactivity in the nonodontogenic tumors, and BamC demonstrated the strongest reactivity in the ameloblastomas and normal oral mucosae. Conclusions: Taken into account with the expression of different EBV genes in odontogenic and nonodontogenic tumors, these findings suggest that even though odontgenic tumors and nonodontogenic tumors are relatively unique, the appearance of different EBV genes seems to suggest the complicated roles that the EBV genes play.

BACKGROUND: The level of proliferation activity is a strong prognostic or predictive indicator in breast cancer, but its optimal measurement is still in debate, necessitating new proliferation markers. In the present study, the prognostic significance of the CKAP2-positive cell count (CPCC), a new proliferation marker, was evaluated, and the results were compared with those for the mitotic activity index (MAI). METHODS: This study included 375 early-stage breast cancer samples collected from two institutions between 2000 and 2006. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a CKAP2 monoclonal antibody. Cox proportional hazard regression models were fitted to determine the association between the CPCC and relapse-free survival (RFS) amongst three groups formed on the basis of the CPCC or MAI value: groups 2 and 3 showing the middle and highest values, respectively, and group 1 the lowest. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, T stage, N stage, HER2 status, estrogen receptor status, progesterone receptor status, institution, and year of surgical resection, the CPCC was associated with a significantly worse RFS {hazard ratio [HR] = 4.10 (95% CI: 1.64-10.29) for group 2; HR = 4.35 (95% CI: 2.04-10.35) for group 3}. Moreover, its prognostic significance was similar to or higher than that based on the MAI {HR = 2.05 (95% CI: 0.94-4.65) for group 2; HR = 2.35 (95% CI: 1.09-5.10) for group 3}. In subgroup analyses, the CPCC showed a prognostic significance in the luminal A and triple-negative subgroups, but not in the HER2-positive subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Chromatin CKAP2 is an independent prognostic marker for RFS in early-stage breast cancer, and could potentially replace the MAI in clinical evaluation of proliferation activity. Additionally, our study results suggest that the prognostic significance of proliferation activity differs among the various subgroups of breast cancer.

Black ginseng is produced by a repeated steaming process. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of black ginseng ethanol extract (BG-EE) in high fat (HF) diet-fed mice. Two groups were fed either a normal control (NC) diet or a HF diet (45% kcal fat). The other three groups were given a HF diet supplemented with 1% BG-EE, 3% BG-EE, and 5% BG-EE for 12 wk. The anti-obesity effects of the BG-EE supplement on body weight, the development of fat mass, and lipid mechanisms were assessed in obese mice. HF-induced hyperlipidemia, fat accumulation in the liver, and white adipose tissues were reduced after BG-EE supplementation. Total fecal weight and the amount of fecal fat excretion also were increased after BG-EE supplementation. These results suggest that BG-EE may be useful to ameliorate HF-induced obesity through the strong inhibition of fat digestion.

Objective North Korean women defectors have suffered from anxiety, depression, and somatization after defection. Also they have had many menstrual problems like amenorrhea. This study was done to identify the correlations of anxiety, depression, and somatization to menstrual problems among North Korean woman defectors in South Korea. Methods The participants in this study were 126 women from 5 government resettlement centers throughout South Korea. Questionnaires which included State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Center for Epidemiological studies-Depression Scale (CED-S), and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to identify anxiety and somatization. Data were collected between June and September, 2012. Results The women reported the following problems; amenorrhea (9.5%), hypomenorrhea (13.6%), menorrhagia (19.8%), polymenorrhea (13.5%), oligomenorrhea (4.8%), changes in amount of menstrual discharge (4.0%), and changes in amount of blood clot (9.5%). Anxiety (r=0.20, p=0.002), depression (r=0.25, p=0.005), and Somatization (r=0.35, p

Background Expression of transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2) is related to invasion and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents in several cancer cells. However, there has been only limited clinical validation of TGase 2 as an independent prognostic marker in cancer. Methods The significance of TGase 2 expression as an invasive/migratory factor was addressed by in vitro assays employing down-regulation of TGase 2. TGase 2 expression as a prognostic indicator was assessed in 429 Korean patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by immunohistochemical staining. Results TGase 2 expression increased the invasive and migratory properties of NSCLC cells in vitro, which might be related to the induction of MMP-9. In the analysis of the immunohistochemical staining, TGase 2 expression in tumors was significantly correlated with recurrence in NSCLC (p = 0.005) or in the non-adenocarcinoma subtype (p = 0.031). Additionally, a multivariate analysis also showed a significant correlation between strong TGase 2 expression and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) in NSCLC (p = 0.029 and HR = 1.554) and in the non-adenocarcinoma subtype (p = 0.030 and HR = 2.184). However, the correlation in the adenocarcinoma subtype was not significant. Conclusions TGase 2 expression was significantly correlated with recurrence and shorter DFS in NSCLC, especially in the non-adenocarcinoma subtype including squamous cell carcinoma.

3199 Poster Board III-136 Differences between hypoplastic MDS (h-MDS) and aplastic anemia (AA) are not defined. Role of karyotype and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in these diseases is not established. Medical record review at Seoul National University Hospital between 1990 and 2008 was performed. Patients diagnosed as either h-MDS or AA based on morphology was reviewed. We assessed overall survival (OS) and leukemic conversion. 369 AA and 40 h-MDS patients (median age 39 years, range 15-82) were analyzed. 235 and 165 patients underwent karyotyping and FISH at diagnosis respectively. Compared to AA, karyotypic abnormality, 5q deletion, trisomy 8 and trisomy 1q FISH abnormalities were more frequently found in h-MDS. Median OS of h-MDS was shorter than AA (60 vs. 219 months, p

Recently, it was reported that expression of transglutaminase 2 plays an important role in doxorubicin/cisplatin resistance in breast and ovarian cancer. The aims of this study were to verify the role of transglutaminase 2 in cisplatin response in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to study if transglutaminase 2 gene (TGM2) methylation can be a molecular marker for good response to cisplatin. TGM2 promoter methylation was analyzed by sodium bisulfite sequencing. Cisplatin sensitivity was analyzed by treatment of cisplatin in NSCLC cell lines with/without TGM2 or TGM2 siRNA transfection. In one-third of NSCLC cell lines, TGase 2 gene (TGM2) was silenced by promoter methylation. The TGM2 promoter-methylated cell lines (HCC-95 and HCC-1588) showed relatively higher sensitivity to cisplatin than the TGM2-expressing cell lines (NCI-H1299 and HCC-1195). Down-regulation and over-expression of TGM2 in those NSCLC cells also suggested a positive correlation of cisplatin sensitivity and TGM2 inhibition. With doxorubicin, the relationship was quite similar. We showed that good responders of cisplatin in NSCLC could be identified by the promoter methylation of TGM2 and that TGase 2 inhibition appears to be an effective cisplatin-sensitizing modality in NSCLC.

517 A CASE OF RECONSTRUCTION OF ABDOMINAL FASCIA USING POLYPROPYLENE MESH FOR PATIENT OF ABDOMINAL WALL ENDOMETRIOSIS AFTER CESAREAN SECTION Su-Mi Kim, MD, Hyun-Kyoung Kim, MD, Jung Namkung, MD, Jae-Yeon Song, MD, In-Chol Jung, MD, Hyun-Hee Cho, MD, Dong-Jin Kwon, Young-Oak Lew, MD, Eun-Jung Kim, MD, Jang-Heub Kim, MD, Mee-Ran Kim, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea