The Role of EMP2 in Triple-negative Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: The poor prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is largely due to the lack of targeted therapies, as a result of the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors. Our previous studies highlighted Del-1 as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for TNBC. This study further explores molecules regulated by Del-1 through transcriptomic analysis.

The development and validation of a Korean version of the oral hygiene-related self-efficacy tool.

Purpose: Self-efficacy is an important factor in the management of chronic oral diseases. This study aimed to develop a Korean version of a self-efficacy tool related to personal oral hygiene management, and verify its validity and reliability.

Methods: This study evaluated the validity and reliability of a Korean version of the oral health-related self-efficacy measurement tool (OHSE-K).

Developing a Framework for Self-regulatory Governance in Healthcare AI Research: Insights from South Korea.

This paper elucidates and rationalizes the ethical governance system for healthcare AI research, as outlined in the 'Research Ethics Guidelines for AI Researchers in Healthcare' published by the South Korean government in August 2023. In developing the guidelines, a four-phase clinical trial process was expanded to six stages for healthcare AI research: preliminary ethics review (stage 1); creating datasets (stage 2); model development (stage 3); training, validation, and evaluation (stage 4); application (stage 5); and post-deployment monitoring (stage 6). Researchers identified similarities between clinical trials and healthcare AI research, particularly in research subjects, management and regulations, and application of research results.

Long non-coding RNA SOX2OT in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer.

Hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer can become aggressive after developing hormone-treatment resistance. This study elucidated the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SOX2OT in tamoxifen-resistant (TAMR) breast cancer and its potential interplay with the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMR breast cancer cell lines TAMR-V and TAMR-H were compared with the luminal type A cell line (MCF-7).

Exploration of MELK as a downstream of Del-1 and druggable targets in triple-negative breast cancer.

Purpose: In our previous study, Developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1) was a promising predictive marker for breast cancer. However, the downstream targets of Del-1 remain unknown. Here, we sought to discover a druggable target downstream of Del-1 and investigate the mechanism by which it regulates the course of breast cancer.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Two New CPR Training Methods in Korea: Medical Virtual Reality Simulation and Flipped Learning.

Background: We compared the educational effects of two training methods that have gained momentum: medical virtual reality (medi-VR) simulation and flipped learning.

Methods: Firefighters (n=128; 116 men and 12 women; mean age=28 years) in training from the Emergency Educational Simulation Center of Korea National Fire Service Academy, Gongju-si, Korea, were randomly assigned to two groups: medi-VR simulation and flipped learning in 2022. The participants were trained to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using medi-VR simulation and the flipped learning methods.

Neferine increases sensitivities to multiple anticancer drugs via downregulation of Bcl-2 expression in renal cancer cells.

Background: Neferine is the major alkaloid extracted from a seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera and shows cytotoxic effects in various human cancer cells. However, no detailed studies have been reported on its antitumor efficacy of a combinational treatment in human renal cancer cells.

Objective: This study evaluated the antitumor effects of a combination therapy of neferine and various drugs on renal cancer Caki-1 cells.

A new KSRP-binding compound suppresses distant metastasis of colorectal cancer by targeting the oncogenic KITENIN complex.

Background: Distant metastasis is the major cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Previously, we identified KITENIN as a metastasis-enhancing gene and suggested that the oncogenic KITENIN complex is involved in metastatic dissemination of KITENIN-overexpressing CRC cells. Here, we attempted to find substances targeting the KITENIN complex and test their ability to suppress distant metastasis of CRC.

MicroRNA-496 inhibits triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation by targeting Del-1.

Del-1 has been linked to the pathogenesis of various cancers, including breast cancer. However, the regulation of Del-1 expression remains unclear. We previously reported the interaction between microRNA-137 (miR-137) and the Del-1 gene.

MicroRNA-137 Inhibits Cancer Progression by Targeting Del-1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can be used to target a variety of human malignancy by targeting their oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. The developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1) might be under miRNA regulation. This study investigated microRNA-137 (miR-137) function and Del-1 expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and tissues.

Overcoming Tamoxifen Resistance by Regulation of Del-1 in Breast Cancer.

Background: Hormone receptor-positive breast cancer accounts for nearly two-thirds of breast cancer cases; it ultimately acquires resistance during endocrine treatment and becomes more aggressive. This study evaluated the role of developmental endothelial locus (Del)-1 in tamoxifen-resistant (TAM-R) breast cancer.

Methods: Del-1 expression in recurrent TAM-R breast cancer tissue was evaluated and compared to that in the original tumor tissue from the same patients.

Neferine-induced apoptosis is dependent on the suppression of Bcl-2 expression via downregulation of p65 in renal cancer cells.

Neferine is an alkaloid extracted from a seed embryo of Nelumbo nucifera and has recently been shown to have anticancer effects in various human cancer cell lines. However, the detailed molecular mechanism of neferine-induced apoptosis has not been elucidated in renal cancer cells. In the present study, we observed that neferine induced inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis in Caki-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner by using MT assay and flow cytometry and that neferine-mediated apoptosis was attenuated by pretreatment with N-benzyloxycarbony-Val-Ala-Asp (O-methyl)-fluoromethyketone, a pan-caspase inhibitor.

Deer Bone Extract Supplementation for Mild-to-Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we evaluated the efficacy of deer bone extract (DBE) in participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We enrolled 50 participants aged 50-70 years, having knee OA with a Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score ≥5.0.

Experience of taking Oral Contraceptives in Adult Women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore essences and meanings of using oral contraceptives among adult women.

Methods: The interview was conducted with 20 adult women who lived in Seoul, Gyeongi Province, Jeolla Province, Chungcheong Province, and Gangwon Province. Participants with the experience of using oral contraceptives for contraception were selected by convenience sampling.

Methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis is dependent on the suppression of c-FLIP expression via down-regulation of p65 in endothelial cells.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a reactive dicarbonyl metabolite of glucose, and its plasma levels are elevated in patients with diabetes. Studies have shown that MGO combines with the amino and sulphhydryl groups of proteins to form stable advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are associated with vascular endothelial cell (EC) injury and may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, MGO induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs, which was attenuated by pre-treatment with z-VAD, a pan caspase inhibitor.

miR-148a increases the sensitivity to cisplatin by targeting Rab14 in renal cancer cells.

MicroRNA (miR) can exert various biological functions by targeting oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in numerous human malignancies. Recent evidence has shown that miR-148a increases the drug sensitivity of various cancer cells. Herein, we show that ectopic expression of miR-148a induces apoptosis, reduces clonogenicity, and increases the sensitivity to TRAIL and cisplatin in renal cancer cells.

Rescuing neuronal cell death by RAIDD- and PIDD- derived peptides and its implications for therapeutic intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.

Caspase-2 is known to be involved in oxidative-stress mediated neuronal cell death. In this study, we demonstrated that rotenone-induced neuronal cell death is mediated by caspase-2 activation via PIDDosome formation. Our newly designed TAT-fused peptides, which contains wild-type helix number3 (H3) from RAIDD and PIDD, blocked the PIDDosome formation in vitro.

Inhibition of c-FLIPL expression by miRNA-708 increases the sensitivity of renal cancer cells to anti-cancer drugs.

Dysregulation of the anti-apoptotic protein, cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), has been associated with tumorigenesis and chemoresistance in various human cancers. Therefore, c-FLIP is an excellent target for therapeutic intervention. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that are involved in tumorigenesis, tumor suppression, and resistance or sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs.

Gambogic acid induces apoptosis and sensitizes TRAIL-mediated apoptosis through downregulation of cFLIPL in renal carcinoma Caki cells.

Gambogic acid (GA) is a natural compound derived from brownish gamboge resin that shows a range of bioactivity, such as antitumor and antimicrobial properties. Although, GA is already known to induce cell death in a variety of cancer cells, the molecular basis for GA-induced cell death in renal cancer cells is unclear. In this study, a treatment with GA induced cell death in human renal carcinoma Caki cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Dioscin induces caspase-independent apoptosis through activation of apoptosis-inducing factor in breast cancer cells.

Dioscin, a saponin extracted from the roots of Polygonatum zanlanscianense, shows several bioactivities such as antitumor, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Although, dioscin is already known to induce cell death in variety cancer cells, the molecular basis for dioscin-induced cell death was not definitely known in cancer cells. In this study, we found that dioscin treatment induced cell death in dose-dependent manner in breast cancer cells such as MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-453, and T47D cells.

Dioscin sensitizes cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through downregulation of c-FLIP and Bcl-2.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has received attention as a potential anticancer drug, because it induces apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells but not in most normal human cell types. Here, we showed that co-treatment with subtoxic doses of dioscin and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in Caki human renal cancer cells. Treatment of Caki cells with dioscin downregulated c-FLIPL and Bcl-2 proteins in a dose-dependent manner.

Antimycin A sensitizes cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through upregulation of DR5 and downregulation of c-FLIP and Bcl-2.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been the focus as a potential anticancer drug, because it induces apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells but not in most normal human cell types. In this study, we showed that combination treatment with sub-toxic doses of antimycin A (AMA), an inhibitor of electron transport, plus TRAIL induced apoptosis in human renal cancer cells, but not in normal tubular kidney cells. Treatment of Caki cells with AMA upregulated the death receptor 5 (DR5) protein and downregulated c-FLIP and Bcl-2 proteins in a dose-dependent manner.

Cytotoxic Activity and Structure Activity Relationship of Ceramide Analogues in Caki-2 and HL-60 Cells.

B13, a ceramide analogue, is a ceramidase inhibitor and induces apoptosis to give potent anticancer activity. A series of thiourea B13 analogues was evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against human renal cancer Caki-2 and leukemic cancer HL-60 in the MTT assay. Some compounds (12, 15, and 16) showed stronger cytotoxicity than B13 and C6-ceramide against both tumor cell lines, and compound (12) gave the most potent activity with IC(50) values of 36 and 9 µM, respectively.

Cytotoxic Activity and Three-Dimensional Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship of 2-Aryl-1,8-naphthyridin-4-ones.

A series of substituted 2-arylnaphthyridin-4-one analogues, which were previously synthesized in our laboratory, were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human lung cancer A549 and human renal cancer Caki-2 cells using MTT assay. Some compounds (11, 12, and 13) showed stronger cytotoxicity than colchicine against both tumor cell lines, and compound 13 exhibited the most potent activity with IC(50) values of 2.3 and 13.