• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.18
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• 2022

Background: Co-infections of the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and the Haemophilus parasuis (HPS) are severe in Chinese pigs, but the immune response genes against co-infected with 2 pathogens in the lungs have not been reported. Objectives: To understand the effect of PRRSV and/or HPS infection on the genes expression associated with lung immune function. Methods: The expression of the immune-related genes was analyzed using RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting assays. Results: All experimental pigs showed clinical symptoms and lung lesions. RNA-seq analysis showed that 922 DEGs in co-challenged pigs were more than in the HPS group (709 DEGs) and the PRRSV group (676 DEGs). Eleven DEGs validated by qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA sequencing results. Eleven common Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways related to infection and immune were found in single-infected and co-challenged pigs, including autophagy, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation, involving different DEGs. A model of immune response to infection with PRRSV and HPS was predicted among the DEGs in the co-challenged pigs. Dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) and interleukin-21 (IL21) were detected by IHC and western blot and showed significant differences between the co-challenged pigs and the controls. Conclusions: These findings elucidated the transcriptome changes in the lungs after PRRSV and/or HPS infections, providing ideas for further study to inhibit ROS production and promote pulmonary fibrosis caused by co-challenging with PRRSV and HPS.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.48-58
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• 2024

The oldest and most extensively cultivated form of millet, known as pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Syn. Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke), is raised over 312.00 lakh hectares in Asian and African countries. India is regarded as the significant hotspot for pearl millet diversity. In the Indian state of Haryana, where pearl millet is grown, a new and catastrophic bacterial disease known as stem rot of pearl millet spurred by the bacterium Klebsiella aerogenes (formerly Enterobacter) was first observed during fall 2018. The disease appears in form of small to long streaks on leaves, lesions on stem, and slimy rot appearance of stem. The associated bacterium showed close resemblance to Klebsiella aerogenes that was confirmed by a molecular evaluation based on 16S rDNA and gyrA gene nucleotide sequences. The isolates were also identified to be Klebsiella aerogenes based on biochemical assays, where Klebsiella isolates differed in D-trehalose and succinate alkalisation tests. During fall 2021-2023, the disease has spread all the pearl millet-growing districts of the state, extending up to 70% disease incidence in the affected fields. The disease is causing considering grain as well as fodder losses. The proposed scale, consisting of six levels (0-5), is developed where scores 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 have been categorized as highly resistant, resistant, moderately resistant, moderately susceptible, susceptible, and highly susceptible disease reaction, respectively. The disease cycle, survival of pathogen, and possible losses have also been studied to understand other features of the disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.626-637
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• 2021

Purpose To explore cerebrovascular reservoir (CVR) and arterial transit time (ATT) changes using acetazolamide-challenged multi-phase arterial spin labeling (MP-ASL) perfusion-weighted MRI in chronic cerebrovascular steno-occlusive disease. Materials and Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients with chronic steno-occlusion who underwent acetazolamide-challenged MP-ASL between June 2019 and October 2020. Cerebral blood flow, CVR, basal ATT, and ATT changes associated with severe stenosis, total occlusion, and chronic infarction lesions were compared. Results There were 32 patients (5 with bilateral steno-occlusion) in our study sample. The CVR was significantly reduced during total occlusion compared with severe stenosis (26.2% ± 28.8% vs. 41.4% ± 34.1%, respectively, p = 0.004). The ATT changes were not significantly different (p = 0.717). The CVR was marginally lower in patients with chronic infarction (29.6% ± 39.1% vs. 38.9% ± 28.7%, respectively, p = 0.076). However, the ATT was less shortened in patients with chronic infarction (-54 ± 135 vs. -117 ± 128 ms, respectively, p = 0.013). Conclusion Acetazolamide-challenged MP-ASL provides an MRI-based CVR evaluation tool for chronic steno-occlusive disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.589-599
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• 2021

Purpose To analyze the success and complication rates and factors associated with technical failure of the ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous thrombin injection of femoral artery pseudoaneurysms caused by vascular access. Materials and Methods Records of 30 patients with post-catheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms who had been treated with US-guided percutaneous thrombin injections in the department of radiology between March 2009 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The lesion was diagnosed based on US or contrast-enhanced CT. The characteristics of the patients and their lesions were analyzed. Results The mean patient age was 67.8 years. The mean diameter of the pseudoaneurysmal sac was 20.88 mm (5-40 mm). Twenty patients (66.6%) obtained complete thrombosis after the primary injection, while 10 patients (33.3%) obtained partial thrombosis. The number of patients with a low platelet count (< 130 k/µL) was significantly higher in the partial thrombosis group than in the complete thrombosis group (p = 0.02). No substantial procedure-related complications were found in any patient. Conclusion The US-guided percutaneous thrombin injection is considered an initial treatment option for pseudoaneurysms caused by vascular access because of its safety and efficacy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2019

Objective: To compare digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and conventional full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in the detectability of breast cancers in patients with dense breast tissue, and to determine the influencing factors in the detection of breast cancers using the two techniques. Materials and Methods: Three blinded radiologists independently graded cancer detectability of 300 breast cancers (288 women with dense breasts) on DBT and conventional FFDM images, retrospectively. Hormone status, histologic grade, T stage, and breast cancer subtype were recorded to identify factors affecting cancer detectability. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare cancer detectability by DBT and conventional FFDM. Fisher's exact tests were used to determine differences in cancer characteristics between detectability groups. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine whether the detectability score differed according to cancer characteristics. Results: Forty breast cancers (13.3%) were detectable only with DBT; 191 (63.7%) breast cancers were detected with both FFDM and DBT, and 69 (23%) were not detected with either. Cancer detectability scores were significantly higher for DBT than for conventional FFDM (median score, 6; range, 0-6; p < 0.001). The DBT-only cancer group had more invasive lobular-type breast cancers (22.5%) than the other two groups (i.e., cancer detected on both types of image [both-detected group], 5.2%; cancer not detected on either type of image [both-non-detected group], 7.3%), and less detectability of ductal carcinoma in situ (5% vs. 16.8% [both-detected group] vs. 27.5% [both-non-detected group]). Low-grade cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (22.5% vs. 10%, p = 0.026). Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-negative cancers were more often detected in the DBT-only group than in the both-detected group (92.3% vs. 70.5%, p = 0.004). Cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue were detected less often in the DBT only group than in the both-non-detected group (10% vs. 31.9%, p = 0.016). DBT cancer detectability scores were significantly associated with cancer type (p = 0.012), histologic grade (p = 0.013), T and N stage (p = 0.001, p = 0.024), proportion of glandular tissue surrounding lesions (p = 0.013), and lesion type (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Invasive lobular, low-grade, or HER-2-negative cancer is more detectable with DBT than with conventional FFDM in patients with dense breasts, but cancers surrounded by mostly glandular tissue might be missed with both techniques.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.345-353
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• 2024

Objective : Blood-blister aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are challenging lesions with high morbidity and mortality rates. Although research on BBAs is well documented in different populations, the study of BBAs in the Tibetan population is extremely rare. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of BBAs and analyze the treatment modalities and long-term outcomes in the Tibetan population in comparison with the Han population. Methods : The characteristics of patients with BBAs of the ICA from January 2009 to January 2021 at our institution were reviewed. The features of aneurysms, treatment modalities, complications, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results : A total of 130 patients (41 Tibetan and 89 Han patients) with BBAs of the ICA who underwent treatment were enrolled. Compared with the Han group, the Tibetan group significantly demonstrated a high ratio of BBAs among ICAs (8.6%, 41/477 vs. 1.6%, 89/5563; p<0.05), a high ratio of vasospasm (34.1%, 14/41 vs. 6.7%, 6/89; p=0.001), a high risk of ischemic events (43.9%, 18/41 vs. 22.5%, 20/89; p<0.05), and a low ratio of good outcomes (modified Rankin scale, 0-2) at the 1-year follow-up (51.2%, 21/41 vs. 74.2%, 66/89; p<0.05). The multivariate regression model showed that ischemic events significantly contributed to the prediction of outcomes at 1 year. Further analysis revealed that microsurgery and vasospasm were associated with ischemic events. Conclusion : In comparison with Han patients, the Tibetan population had a high ratio of BBA occurrence, a high incidence of ischemic events, and a high ratio of poor outcomes. The endovascular approach showed more benefits in BBA patients.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2020

The effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication on the development of metachronous recurrence after endoscopic resection (ER) of gastric adenoma is not well defined. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of H. pylori eradication after ER of gastric adenoma for the prevention of metachronous recurrence. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis were conducted using the databases Ovid-MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, KoreaMed, and KMBASE. Thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate this relationship. Pooled risk ratio for metachronous gastric lesions with regard to H. pylori eradication was calculated, and heterogeneity was also measured. Five eligible studies were finally identified in systematic review, and included in meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication was associated with overall 55% lower odds of metachronous events (RR=0.55; 95 % CI 0.34-0.92). Based on the best available evidence, eradication of H. pylori can also provide protection against metachronous recurrence after ER of gastric adenoma.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.123-133
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Atherectomy as a pretreatment has the potential to improve the outcomes of drug-coated balloon (DCB) treatment by reducing and modifying atherosclerotic plaques. The present study investigated the outcomes of atherectomy plus DCB (A+DCB) compared with DCB alone for the treatment of femoropopliteal artery disease. Methods: A total of 311 patients (348 limbs) underwent endovascular therapy using DCB for native femoropopliteal artery lesions at two endovascular centers. Of these, 82 limbs were treated with A+DCB and 266 limbs with DCB alone. After propensity score matching based on clinical and lesion characteristics, a total of 82 pairs was compared for immediate and mid-term outcomes. Results: For the matched study groups, the lesion length was 172.7±111.2 mm, and severe calcification was observed in 43.3%. The technical success rate was higher in the A+DCB group than in the DCB group (80.5% vs. 62.2%, p=0.015). However, the A+DCB group showed more procedure-related minor complications (37.0% vs. 13.4%, p=0.047). At 2-year follow-up, primary clinical patency (73.8% vs. 82.6%, p=0.158) and the target lesion revascularization (TLR)-free survival (84.3% vs. 88.2%, p=0.261) did not differ between the two groups. In Cox proportional hazard analysis, atherectomy showed no significant impact on the outcome of DCB treatments. Conclusions: The pretreatment with atherectomy improved technical success of DCB treatment; however, it was associated with increased minor complications. In this study, A+DCB showed no clinical benefit in terms of TLR-free survival or clinical patency compared with DCB treatment alone.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2015

Recently, $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining has been introduced as a new biomarker protocol for early detection of uterine cervical dysplasia and cancer in liquid-based cytology (LBC). We performed the $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining using a CINtec$^{(R)}$ PLUS kit in a total of 109 LBC cases of cervicovaginal smear and compared its results with those from LBC, HPV hybrid capture II (HC II) test and histological diagnosis. Expression of $p16^{INK4a}$ and Ki-67 was significantly associated with cases of LSIL or higher in cytological diagnosis and cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 or higher in histological diagnosis (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Among forty-six cases of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) in LBC, $p16^{INK4a}$ and Ki-67 was expressed in 31 (67.4%), which were positively associated with cases of CIN I lesion or higher in histology. The sensitivity of $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining for finding lesions of CIN 1 or higher was 89.0%, which was higher than LBC. The specificity was 73.5%, which was higher than that of the HC II test. Based on these results, the $p16^{INK4a}$/Ki-67 dual immunostaining method can be a useful diagnostic marker for improving the sensitivity of LBC and the specificity of HC II test.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2003

Background : It is well known that only 10% of those infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis actually develop clinical disease, indicating the existence of host genetic factors regulating disease expression. In this study, we investigated HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods : HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 gene polymorphisms were investigated in 67 PTB patients without previous treatment history, 38 drug-sensitive (DS) and 29 multidrug-resistant (MDR) cases, and 200 healthy controls. HLA-DRB1 typing was done using reverse SSO (sequence specific oligonucleotide) and PCR-SSCP (single strand conformational polymorphism) methods and DQB1 typing was done using PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism), PCR-SSCP and PCR-SSP (sequence specific primer) methods. Results : Among the PTB patients, MDR-TB cases showed frequencies of DRB1*0701 and *08032 increased by about two-fold compared to those of normal controls, and likewise for their associated DQB1 alleles, DQB1*0202 and *0601 (15.5% vs. 34.5%, p=0.01). The frequency of HLA-DQB1*0609 was significantly increased in PTB patients (4.0% vs. 14.9%, p=0.004), showing similar increases in both DS and MDR cases. There was also an association of HLA alleles with the clinical severity of the disease according to the extent of lung lesion. Significantly increased frequencies of DRB1*08032 (4.2% vs. 32.6%, p=0.007) and DQB1*0601 (12.5% vs. 34.9%, p=0.047) were observed in more advanced (moderately & far advanced/DS and far advanced/MDR), compared with less advanced (minimal/DS and moderately advanced/MDR) lung lesions. Although DRB1*0701, DQB1*0202 and DQB1*0609 showed significant increases in different subsets of the disease, these HLA alleles did not show consistent association with disease severity. Conclusion : HLA-DRB1*08032 and DQB1*0601 alleles were associated with genetic susceptibility to MDR-TB in Korean patients, and also with disease severity and progression of PTB.