Identification of the novel HLA-DRB3*02:209 allele by next-generation sequencing.

HLA-DRB3*02:209 is identical to HLA-DRB3*02:02:01:01 except for a single nucleotide substitution in exon 4.

Identification of the novel HLA-DPB1*1591:01 allele by next-generation sequencing.

The novel HLA-DPB1*1591:01 allele was detected during the HLA typing for kidney transplantation.

Identification of the novel HLA-DPA1*02:07:04 allele by next-generation sequencing.

The novel HLA-DPA1*02:07:04 allele was detected during the HLA typing for kidney transplantation.

Identification of the novel HLA-B*13:191 allele by next-generation sequencing.

The novel HLA-B*13:191 allele was detected during the HLA typing for kidney transplantation.

Identification of the novel HLA-C*14:159 allele by next-generation sequencing.

The novel HLA-C*14:159 allele was detected during the routine HLA typing for kidney transplantation.

Feasibility of serum CGRP measurement as a biomarker of chronic migraine: a critical reappraisal.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been reported as elevated in chronic migraine. We aimed to validate the role of interictal serum CGRP concentration in peripheral blood samples as a biomarker of chronic migraine.

Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with episodic and chronic migraine and normal controls (NCs) in the Samsung Medical Center between August 2015 and May 2016.

Combination of novel HER2-targeting antibody 1E11 with trastuzumab shows synergistic antitumor activity in HER2-positive gastric cancer.

The synergistic interaction of two antibodies targeting the same protein could be developed as an effective anti-cancer therapy. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in 20-25% of breast and gastric cancer patients, and HER2-targeted antibody therapy using trastuzumab is effective in many of these patients. Nonetheless, improving therapeutic efficacy and patient survival is important, particularly in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer.

Determination of cyanogenic compounds in edible plants by ion chromatography.

Cyanogenic glycosides are HCN-producing phytotoxins; HCN is a powerful and a rapidly acting poison. It is not difficult to find plants containing these compounds in the food supply and/or in medicinal herb collections. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of total cyanide in nine genera (Dolichos, Ginkgo, Hordeum, Linum, Phaseolus, Prunus, Phyllostachys, Phytolacca, and Portulaca) of edible plants and the effect of the processing on cyanide concentration.

Polyacetylene Compound from Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense Inhibited Caspase-1-mediated IL-1β Expression.

Our previous report showed that polyacetylene compound, 1-Heptadecene-11, 13-diyne-8, 9, 10-triol (PA) from the root of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has anti-inflammatory activity. In this study we investigated the role of the PA as inhibitor of caspase-1, which converts prointerleukin-1β (proIL-1β) to active IL-1β and is activated by inflammasome involved in the inflammatory process.

Inhibition of angiogenic attributes by decursin in endothelial cells and ex vivo rat aortic ring angiogenesis model.

The present study was undertaken to observe the inhibition of angiogenesis by decursin. It was the first time to show that decursin offered strong anti-angiogenic activities under the biologically relevant growth (with serum) conditions. Decursin significantly inhibited human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation concomitant with G1 phase cell cycle arrest.

Hypoglycemic effects of vanadium on alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic dogs.

The hypoglycemic effects after oral administration of vanadium have been studied previously in many species such as rats, mice and even humans. However, there has been no prior report on the glucose lowering effect of vanadium on diabetic dogs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of oral vanadium on diabetic dogs.

Molecular cloning of the cDNA of canine homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2.

The research of p53 is being conducted to find the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and to treat various cancers. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase2 (HIPK2) is an important factor to regulate p53 and to increase the stability of p53. Activation of HIPK2 leads to the selective phosphorylation of p53, resulting in growth arrest and the enhancement of apoptosis.

A novel anticancer agent, decursin, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells.

We isolated a coumarin compound decursin (C(19)H(20)O(5); molecular weight 328) from Korean angelica (Angelica gigas) root and characterized it by spectroscopy. Here, for the first time, we observed that decursin (25-100 micromol/L) treatment for 24 to 96 hours strongly inhibits growth and induces death in human prostate carcinoma DU145, PC-3, and LNCaP cells. Furthermore, we observed that decursinol [where (CH(3))(2)-C=CH-COO- side chain of decursin is substituted with -OH] has much lower effects compared with decursin, suggesting a possible structure-activity relationship.

Immunomodulatory activity of betulinic acid by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of macrophages.

Betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Lycopus lucidus, has been reported to be a selective inducer of apoptosis in various human cancer and shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. We postulated that BA modulates the immunomodulatory properties at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the basis of the critical role of the monocytes and tissue macrophages in inflammatory and immune responses. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were produced by BA in a dose dependent manner at concentration of 0.

Activation of murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by Korean propolis.

Monocytes and macrophages play a major role in defense mechanism of the host response to tumor, in part through the secretion of several potent products and macrophage cytokines. Monocytes and tissue macrophages produce at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation, interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recent studies emphasizes that TNF and IL-1 modulate the inflammatory function of endothelial cells, leukocytes, and fibroblasts.

The effect of linarin on LPS-induced cytokine production and nitric oxide inhibition in murine macrophages cell line RAW264.7.

The herb, Chrysanthemum zawadskii var, latilobum commomly known as Gu-Jul-Cho in Korea, used in traditional medicine to treat pneumonia, bronchitis, cough, common cold, pharyngitis, bladder-related disorders, gastroenteric disorders, and hypertension. Linarin is the main active compound and the biological mechanisms of its activity are unclear. It is believed that effects of this herb may be exerted through the pluripotent effectors of linarin due to its ability to treat a variety of afflictions.