Background Breast cancer is a common female malignancy. In recent years, the incidence of breast cancer has increased and has become much younger. Studies have shown that platelet-derived exosomes play an important role in the progression of cancer. Objective In this study, we investigated the effect of platelet-derived exosomes on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion

Background Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is a natural polyphenolic compound that induces apoptosis in papillary thyroid cancer cells. However, its underlying molecular mechanism was not completely clarified. Objectives The present study demonstrated the role of apoptosis and autophagy in EGCG-treated papillary thyroid cancer cells and the relationship between these processes. Results EGCG significantly

Background The lacking of estrogen, progesterone and ERBB2 receptor makes the therapy of Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is particularly challenging. Accumulating evidences has demonstrated the dysfunction and critical roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in TNBC. Objective Explore the role of miR-506-3p in TNBC and evaluate the clinical significance of miR-506-3p. Results miR-506-3p expression was significantly

Background Cerebrovascular disease is a common chronic disease in the middle-aged and elderly population, with severe damage. Timely restoration of ischemia (ie blood reperfusion) in brain tissue can attenuate brain damage. Objectives The experiment investigated that the effects of USP38 in cerebral ischemia–reperfusion injury (CI–RI) and its possible mechanism. Results USP38 expression were down-regulated

Background Individual treatment with either the standard chemotherapeutic drug tamoxifen (Tam), the natural product hesperidin (Hes), or camel milk exosomes (Exo) has been shown to inhibit breast cancer MCF7 cells proliferation. However, little is known regarding their combined effect on MCF7 both in vitro and in vivo. Objective This study aimed to investigate whether the combined therapy of Tam, Hes

Background Hosta longipes is a traditional folk medicine that has been used to treat otitis media, inflammation, skin ulcers, and snake bites for a long time. Several phytochemicals isolated from H. longipes exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cells or anti-neuroinflammatory effects against microglial cell lines. However, studies on their physiological activity have been relatively few. Objective

Purpose of review As fields such as neurotoxicity evaluation and neuro-related drug research are increasing in popularity, there is a demand for the expansion of neurotoxicity research. Currently, neurotoxicity is assessed by measuring changes in weight and behavior. However, measurement of such changes does not allow the detection of subtle and inconspicuous neurotoxicity. In this review, methods

Background Inflammation and oxidative stress-induced molecular death are one of the important causes for lung injury in critically ill patients. LKB1 is an important protein kinase in the body and has regulated inflammation and oxidative stress. However, LKB1 control inflammation and oxidative stress in lung injury were unclear. Objective We aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of Liver

Background The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens in the environment has been increasing, posing a threat to public health. Next-generation sequencing technology, which is both low cost and large scale, was used to identify antibiotic-resistance genes or toxin genes in these pathogens. Short-read sequencing cannot fully reconstruct bacterial chromosomes and plasmids carrying toxin

Background Numerous studies have measured the harmful effects of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) (e.g., ingestion, temporal bioconcentration, acute and chronic responses, and the trophic transfer from primary producers to consumers) on aquatic invertebrates due to their ubiquitous and persistent nature in waterbodies. Objective An experimental water flea model, Moina macrocopa, was exposed

Backgrounds To investigate the biological functions and the molecular mechanisms of PTTG1 in PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. Objectives QPCR and western blotting were used to detect PTTG1 levels in PDGF-BB-induced ASMCs. MTT, BrdU incorporation, cell apoptosis and cell invasion assays were performed to evaluate the effect of PTTG1 on cell proliferation, invasion and apoptosis, respectively. Western blotting

Background Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have potential for a wide range of applications as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Since they have a high probability of interacting with human immune cells, cytotoxicity studies must be conducted. The investigation of AuNP/immune cell interaction has mainly focused on macrophages and dendritic cells, along with some other cell lineages. Scarce information is

Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a kind of non-coding RNAs which may play vital roles in bacterial infection induced cardiomyocytes injury. We aim to investigated the roles of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in LPS-induced human AC16 cardiomyocytes apoptosis and investigate the corresponding mechanisms in this study. Objective The expression of DLX6-AS1 in LPS-injured human AC16 cardiomyocytes was detected

Background Sphinganine is a key precursor for the synthesis of ceramide during sphingolipid biosynthesis in eukaryotes. In the sphinganine biosynthetic pathway, serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) and 3-ketosphinganine reductase (3KSR) catalyze the condensation of serine and palmitoyl-CoA to form 3-ketosphinganine, and the conversation of 3-ketosphinganine to dehydrosphingosine (DHS), respectively. Objective

Background Sorafenib (SOR) is the only approved molecular targeted agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, its use is delayed by the recently articulated safety concerns. Objective The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that combining snake venoms (SVs) or its ingredient l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) could synergistically enhance the anti-proliferative effects of SOR

Background Obesity has been linked to DNA damage. The modifiable risk factors may modulate the impact of obesity on DNA damage. Objective This study aimed to assess DNA damage and its association with dietary nutrient, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and concentration of hair heavy metals of obese and non-obese women. Method A case–control study was conducted involving 134 women aged between 20

Background Melittin, a major component of honeybee venom, is known to possess anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis, and anti-cancer. Despite its great promise as an agent for various diseases, the therapeutic applications of melittin have been severely limited by its nonspecific cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity. Objective We synthesized a hybrid peptide (melittin-dKLA), composed of melittin

Background USP (ubiquitin-specific peptidase) 18 functions as deubiquitinating enzyme and participates in various human malignancies. The underlying mechanism involved in USP18-mediated hemangiomas progression has not been reported yet. Objective Immunohistochemistry analysis, qRT-PCR, and western blot were applied to detect USP18 expression in hemangioma tissues and cells. Lentiviral-mediated short

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) function as post-transcriptional mediators for genes involved in cancer progression, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia. MiR-582-5p has been identified as a tumor suppressor in various tumors. The antioncogenic role of miR-582-5p was then validated in this study. Objective Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood samples of patients with chronic lymphocytic

Background Isoflurane (ISO), with the characteristics of rapid induction and recovery, has become one of the most commonly used inhalation anesthetics in the world. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the biological mechanism of long non-coding RNA taurine up-regulated gene 1 (TUG1) in isoflurane (ISO) induced neurotoxicity through in vitro cell experiments. Result ISO exposure inhibited

Background Sepsis is a deadly clinical condition. Allylpyrocatechol is bioactive flavonoid that has shown promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The effects of allylpyrocatechol on sepsis-induced lung injury have not been fully established. Objective This study investigated the effects of allylpyrocatechol in a mouse model of sepsis-induced lung injury. Results RAW264.7 macrophages were

Background The retinal vascular endothelial cells can be damaged by oxidative stress even in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on the rat retinal vascular endothelial cells (RRVECs) in high glucose circumstance. Objective The cultured RRVECs were identified and characterized by both of vWF and CD31 immunofluorescence expression

Background Peritoneal dialysis has greatly improved patient survival for patients with chronic kidney disease. However, peritoneal fibrosis is a progressive fibrotic peritoneal disease caused by dialysis, which may lead to ineffective dialysis or dialysis failure. It is well known that the EMT of peritoneal mesenchymal cells has been known to contribute to peritoneal fibrosis. Therefore, at present

Background Patients with sporadic Alzheimer’s do not possess an identified causative variant and hold an estimated heritability of 92–100%. Majority of disease causing, or protective mutations were uncommon in a generic group of the population, whereas dominant variants were well identified. Development of next-generation sequencing along with genome-wide association studies allowed to accurately identify

Background Kaempferol (KMF) is a flavone reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Objective The present study screened the effect of KMF in the animal model of spinal cord injury (SCI). Results KMF caused a significant inhibition of spinal cord injury mediated oxidative stress and also suppressed the inflammatory reactions. The treatment of KMF also inhibited the levels of p53

Background Exposure of human lung epithelial cells to the oxidant pollutant ozone (O3) alters cell Cl− currents inducing an outward rectifier effect. Among the various Cl− channels, ClC-2 and ORCC seemed to be involved in this response. Objectives To identify the channel related to O3 induced current changes. Results Down regulating the expression of ORCC and ClC-2 genes and analyzing the membrane

Background Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a central nervous system (CNS) complication and occurs quite frequently after anesthesia, especially in elderly patients. DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3-like (DNMT3L) is an enzymatically inactive regulatory factor that can modulate gene expression via methylation. Few studies specifically focused on the role of DNMT3L in sevoflurane-induced

Background The present study was designed to investigate the function of death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) in infantile pneumonia and explore the potential mechanism of the actions. Objective Male C57BL/6 mice were injected with 2 mg/kg of LPS for the mice model of infantile pneumonia. A549 cells were treated with 100 ng/ml of LPS for vitro model of infantile pneumonia. Dapk1 mRNA and protein

Background To solve current issues using big data, solve current issues related to the semiconductor and electronics industry, I tried to establish the data for each toxicity mechanism for adverse outcome pathway (AOP) for the exposure. Objective I planned to increase the efficiency of human hazard assessment by searching, analyzing, and linking test data on the relationship between key events occurred

Background Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) disrupt homeostasis via the dysregulation of hormone synthesis and metabolism. Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in consumer products, such as thermal receipts, water bottles, and baby bottles. However, BPA is also an EDC that acts as an estrogen agonist, and human exposure to BPA can lead to estrogenic effects. Consequently, manufacturers have started

Background Nuclear receptor are major regulators of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes and antioxidants enzymes. Nuclear receptor humanized mice were used for overcome species differences between experimental animals and human. Objective The present study was performed to investigate the hepatic regulation of antioxidant enzymes in pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)

Background The mechanism of long time and high-concentration oxygen treatment leading to acute lung injury (ALI) or developmental lung disease in infants is currently unclear. Here we found that compared with the effect of rapamycin, pan-mTOR1/2 inhibitor OSI-027, alleviates hyperoxia-induced lung injury (HILI) by modulation of mTORC2/AKT/TGF-β1 and mTORC1/4E-BP1 signaling in infant rats. Objective

Backgrounds Nickel is known as a carcinogen through the environmental and occupational exposures. One of carcinogenic mechanisms of nickel is an induction of oxidative stresses and inhibition of DNA repair. But the exact molecular mechanisms by which nickel induces carcinogenicity remains unclear. Objectives We selected the sub-lethal dose of nickel in human cells using MTT assay and FACS analysis

Purpose of review Necroptosis is a form of cell death regulated by specific cellular protein machinery. Although the cell death is tightly controlled like apoptosis, another type of programed cell death, the biological features of necroptosis rather resemble necrosis that is defined as an uncontrolled accidental cell death. The pathway executing necroptosis relies on a protein kinase, RIPK3, and its

Background Although various natural ingredients and formulated reagents are used as ingredients in cosmetics, it is important to have alternatives to animal tests, such as in vitro tests of toxicity, as animal testing of cosmetics is prohibited in many countries. Objectives Here, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and embryotoxicity on zebrafish embryos were evaluated to confirm the safety of ingredients

Backgrounds Gastric cancer (GC), a prevalent malignancy in Eastern Asia, is associated with aberrant transcriptional regulation. Objective Here, we evaluated the mRNA and microRNA transcriptomes in patients with gastric cancer to gain insight into the molecular underpinnings of this disease. Results We observed upregulation of inhibin βA (INHBA), CDC7, SULF1, COL11A1, KIAA1199, and CLDN1 transcripts

Background Seasonal flu is an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. The development of anti-influenza drugs has significantly reduced the threat from the influenza virus; however, frequent mutations of this negative RNA virus result in antiviral-resistant strains, and constantly intimidate the human race. Thus, identifying novel therapeutic targets for the prevention

Background Early growth response protein (Egr)-1 is a transcription factor important for cell growth and initiation of immune responses. It is significantly up-regulated in psoriatic skin. Objective We evaluated the differential expression of Egr-1 in skin lesions of plaque psoriasis and its correlation with the severity of psoriasis. We also used in vitro methods in normal keratinocytes to analyze

Background Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The delayed encephalopathy occurs a period after poisoning in patients without effective treatment. Simvastatin (Sim), a lipid-lowering drug, was reported to exert endothelial protective effects and inhibit inflammatory response. This research focused on the effects of Sim on delayed encephalopathy caused

Background The interferon-induced transmembrane (IFITM) protein family consists of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) that show potent antiviral capacity against a broad range of viruses. Many studies have been performed to investigate an association between IFITM3 polymorphisms and pandemic influenza A 2009 H1N1 virus infection. However, an association study of IFITM1 polymorphisms with susceptibility

Background In recent years, studies have shown that cyfluthrin is harmful to the reproductive system. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide may be a protective agent. Objective To investigate the effect of cyfluthrin (Cy) on testosterone B (inhibin B, INHB) in male rats and the intervention of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP). Results Compared with the control group, the mRNA and protein expression levels

Background Pheochromocytoma (PCC) is a catecholamine-producing and neuroendocrine tumor with the 5-year overall survival of advanced stage PCC lower than 40%. Increasing evidence has shown that aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) plays important roles in the development and chemotherapy resistance of cancers including PCC. Objective The tumor-suppressive function of miR-184 has been identified

Background The p97/valosin-containing protein (VCP) complex is a crucial factor for the segregation of ubiquitinated proteins in the DNA damage response and repair pathway. Objective We investigated whether blocking the p97/VCP function can inhibit the proliferation of RepID-deficient cancer cells using immunofluorescence, clonogenic survival assay, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and immunoblotting

Background Glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1) is a detoxification enzyme and a sensitive marker for hepatotoxicity. We investigated the effects of JNK inhibition on different degrees of Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatocyte injury and GSTA1 expression. Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of JNK signaling pathway in APAP-induced different degrees of hepatocyte injury and its correlation

Background Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is a popular aggressive malignancy of the oral cavity. Despite advances in OTSCC therapy, the overall 5-year survival rate is low. The tumor microenvironment resistance factors lead to chemotherapy failure, especially intratumoral hypoxia. HIF-1α, the main protein in hypoxia pathway, influences cell survival and angiogenesis. Hypoxia/HIF-1α system

Background Gastric cancer is one of the serious malignant tumors with high incidence worldwide. The two commonly used treatment strategies for gastric cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Conventional anticancer drugs have limited effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to explore new anticancer drugs. Dehydroabietic acid (DAA) is known to have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and

Backgrounds Heavy metals cadmium has been used as a yellow pigment due to its bright and lasting color. Considering the toxicity of cadmium, yellow iron oxide has been suggested as a substitute due to its cost-effectiveness. However, cellular and molecular safety information of yellow iron oxide is not fully understood. Methods Metal-mediated cellular stress indicated by metallothionein 1 expression

Purpose of review The Cre recombinase/loxP (Cre/loxP) system has emerged as a useful tool in genetic manipulations. Generally, any DNA sequence of interest can be deleted when flanked with loxP sites. The conditional (timely or spatially controlled) expression of Cre recombinase enables to determine, where (e.g. in which cell type or tissue) and when (at which time of life or of developmental stage

Background Visualizing educational contents makes learning more efficient and effective especially in the area such as molecular toxicology, which is time consuming and intellectually taxing to learn. Objective A design principle based on cognitive neuroscience was developed for spatiotemporality of information and optimized virtual reality (VR) for molecular toxicology. We modeled VR with the tricarboxylic

Unfortunately the second affiliation of the author Eun-Hwa Sohn has been omitted.

Background Accumulating study indicated that microRNA (miRNA) played critical role in the osteosarcoma (OS). The role and mechanisms of miR-193b in OS cell lines were still unknown. Objective We resolved the miR-193b expression in OS cell line and normal cell by RT-PCR assay. The effects of upregulated miR-193b on OS cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis were evaluated using CCK-8 assay

Background Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, commonly known as the pine wood nematode (PWN), is one of the most destructive nematode species. It causes pine wilt, a slow progressive disease that results in economic loss worldwide. Objective Here, we review the nematode detection methods, including morphological, molecular, chemical, and protein-based methods, and assess how the nematode’s distribution, virulence

Background Excessive sunlight exposure leads to photodamaged skin, resulting in wrinkles, roughness, relaxation, and pigmentation. We examined photoprotective effects of aqueous extracts of dried Phragmites communis rhizome (PCWE) on ultraviolet B radiation (UVB)-mediated photodamage in skin cells. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), melanocytes (B16F10 cells), and keratinocytes (HaCaT cells)

Background The spider venom is composed of various bioactive peptides and has well-known physiological characteristics, such as cytolytic and neurotoxic activities. However, there have been few studies on neurotoxic peptides derived from domestic indigenous spiders in Korea. Objective The study aimed to characterize and identify the venom peptide through genomic analysis from the domestic indigenous

Background Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) is a potent host antiviral effector protein that blocks the invasion of various viruses, including the influenza A virus (IAV). The C allele of the rs12252 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) shows vulnerability to the pandemic 2009 H1N1 IAV in European and Asian populations. Objective Here, we estimated the disease susceptibility of the

Background Pharbitis nil (L.) Choisy (PN) is used as a traditional herb in East Asia and exhibits anti-parasitic, purgative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity are not well understood. Objective This study aims to elucidate the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated after treatment with the compound

Due to an unfortunate oversight, one of the author names has been given erroneously.

Background Lewy bodies are pathological hallmarks for the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, where the core components are composed of aggregated forms of α-synuclein (α-syn). Although α-syn has been investigated as a potential biomarker for PD, its usage has been limited and still remains controversial. Objective An accurate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection