• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.80-84
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• 2003

Objective : Bipolar disorder is known to have strong genetic background and cellular immune activation. Based on the hypothesis that abnormalities of normal inhibitory control of T cell immunity can contribute to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, we investigated the relationship between the first exon at position +49(A/G) polymorphism of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4(CTLA4) gene and bipolar disorder. Method : Among the Korean patients diagnosed as bipolar disorder according to DSM-IV, 90 patients without serious medical illness, neurologic illness, hormonal disorder, or concomitant mental illness were selected. The normal control group consisted of 149 age-and sex-matched subjects without current or past history of autoimmune diseases or mental disorder. DNA was extracted from whole blood and the exon 1 region of CTLA-4 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Gene typing was performed using single strand conformation polymorphism. Results : There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of G/G, G/A, and A/A between the patients with bipolar disorder and the control group(48.9% vs 46.3%, 44.4% vs 39.6%, and 6.7% vs 14.1%, respectively). There were no significant differences in allelic frequencies of G and A between the patients with bipolar disorder and the control group(71.1% vs 66.1%, and 28.9% vs 33.9%, respectively). Conclusion : This study did not show the association of exon 1 polymorphism of CTLA-4 gene with bipolar disorder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.7007-7010
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• 2013

Background: In the literature, data concerning the relationship between breast cancer and HLA class II gene polymorphisms are limited, so the aim of this study was to determine if HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 MHC class-II alleles may confer susceptibility or resistance to the disease among Jordanian females. Materials and Methods: This case control study enrolled 56 Royal Hospital breast cancer patients and 60 age matched healthy controls, all of whom provided blood samples (2011-2013). A questionnaire was filled after signing a consent form and DNA was extracted, nucleic acids being amplified for assessment of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 alleles by muliplex INNO-LiPA and allele typing carried out by reverse hybridization. Comparison of HLA-DQB1 and HLA-DRB1 allele distributions was carried out with paired t-test and chi-square statistics. Risk factors were assessed by odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: A significant negative correlation was observed between $HLADQB1^*$ 02 alleles and breast cancers (p=0.013). No significant associations were observed among $HLADQB1^*$ 03, 04, 05 and 06 or among $HLA-DRB1^*$ 01, 03, 04, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15. Conclusions: $HLADQB1^*$ 02 alleles may provide positive protection against breast tumor risk among Jordanians, but not $HLADQB1^*$ 03, 04, 05 and 06 or $HLA-DRB1^*$ 01, 03, 04, 07, 08, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 alleles.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.7
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• pp.221-226
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• 2017

Purpose: Escherichia coli sequence type (ST) 131, a multidrug-resistant clone causing extraintestinal infections, has rapidly become prevalent worldwide. However, the epidemiological and clinical features of pediatric infections are poorly understood. We aimed to explore the characteristics of ST131 Escherichia coli isolated from Korean children with urinary tract infections. Methods: We examined 114 uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) isolates from children hospitalized at Chung-Ang University Hospital between 2011 and 2014. Bacterial strains were classified into STs by partial sequencing of seven housekeeping genes (adk, fumC, gyrB, icd, mdh, purA, and recA). Clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility were compared between ST131 and non-ST131 UPEC isolates. Results: Sixteen UPEC isolates (14.0%) were extended-spectrum ${\beta}-lactamase$ (ESBL)-producers; 50.0% of ESBL-producers were ST131 isolates. Of all the isolates tested, 13.2% (15 of 114) were classified as ST131. There were no statistically significant associations between ST131 and age, sex, or clinical characteristics, including fever, white blood cell counts in urine and serum, C-reactive protein, radiologic abnormalities, and clinical outcome. However, ST131 isolates showed significantly lower rates of susceptibility to cefazolin (26.7%), cefotaxime (40.0%), cefepime (40.0%), and ciprofloxacin (53.3%) than non-ST131 isolates (65.7%, 91.9%, 92.9%, and 87.9%, respectively; P<0.001 for all). ESBL was more frequently produced in ST131 (53.3%) than in non-ST131 (8.1%) isolates (P<0.01). Conclusion: ST131 E. coli isolates were prevalent uropathogens in children at a single medical center in Korea between 2011 and 2014. Although ST131 isolates showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance, clinical presentation and outcomes of patients were similar to those of patients infected with non-ST131 isolates.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1998

HLA-DR4 is the dominant allele of MHC class II genes in Koreans. In particular, the $DRB1^*0405$ subtype has been reported to be almost exclusively expressed in Far East Asians, and has also been observed to be strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Koreans and the Japanese. Identification of this specific allele has been mainly performed by PCR-based methods, which is often time consuming, costly, and involves tedious procedures such as the isolation of genomic DNA, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. To develop a more convenient tool for screening vast amounts of samples as well as to generate reagents which might also be used in other applications, in this study, antibodies were produced against this specific HLA subtype. By PCR, an allelespecific region covering the ${\beta}1$ domain of $DRB1^*0405$ was amplified and recombinantly expressed in E.coli. Immunization of Lewis rats with the purified protein yielded an allele specific antiserum. Western blot analysis showed the selective detection of the HLA-DR ${\beta}-chain$. Using this antiserum, established cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed on their HLA haplotype by fluorescence activated flow cytometry. These novel antibodies will provide a powerful tool in the detection and investigation of DR4 alleles.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.207-210
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• 2006

A probable case of superfetation in a Korean native cow met in a small farm located in Imsil Gun, Chonbuk. The cow delivered twice a living male and female calves in September 4 and December 9, 2004, respectively. Thus, we determined whether this case is a case of superfetation using parentage testing technique. The parentage testing was carried out for a dam and two calves using microsatellite DNA and blood typing. As the calves had at least one of the alleles on all marker tested that existed in dam, it was estimated that both of the calves were offsprings of the cow, and that they came from superfetation.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Hemoglobinopathy and malaria are commonly found worldwide particularly in malaria endemic areas. Thalassemia, the alteration of globin chain synthesis, has been reported to confer resistance against malaria. The prevalence of thalassemia was investigated in 101 malaria patients with Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax along the Thai-Myanmar border to examine protective effect of thalassemia against severe malaria. Hemoglobin typing was performed using low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC) and ${\alpha}$-thalassemia was confirmed by multiplex PCR. Five types of thalassemia were observed in malaria patients. The 2 major types of thalassemia were Hb E (18.8%) and ${\alpha}$-thalassemia-2 (11.9%). There was no association between thalassemia hemoglobinopathy and malaria parasitemia, an indicator of malaria disease severity. Thalassemia had no significant association with P. vivax infection, but the parasitemia in patients with coexistence of P. vivax and thalassemia was about 2-3 times lower than those with coexistence of P. falciparum and thalassemia and malaria without thalassemia. Furthermore, the parasitemia of P. vivax in patients with coexistence of Hb E showed lower value than coexistence with other types of thalassemia and malaria without coexistence. Parasitemia, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values in patients with coexistence of thalassemia other than Hb E were significantly lower than those without coexistence of thalassemia. Furthermore, parasitemia with coexistence of Hb E were 2 times lower than those with coexistence of thalassemia other than Hb E. In conclusion, the results may, at least in part, support the protective effect of thalassemia on the development of hyperparasitemia and severe anemia in malaria patients.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.197-207
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• 2004

Identification of animals has been used with an e ar tag with dummy code and blood typing has been used for paternity and individual identification in live animals. Various genetic markers are different for breeds of pig and hence, it is necessary to identity the discrete genetic marker in korean native pig. A total of 240 pigs were used to find korean native pig population specific markers that expressed in population of korean native pigs. To identify the individual traceability, 20 animals were randomly chosen and tested for a whole process from being live to slaughter stages. The candidate genetic marker used in the study were 18 DNA microsatellites which were identified in pig genome. The number of alleles of those DNA microsatellites ranged form a minimum of 3 to maximum of 6. The heterozygote frequency rang6d from 0.44 to 0.69. Effective number of alleles for each DNA microsatellotes were 2 to 4. By choosing 6 candidate genetic markers among all, the traceability of individual identification was estimated as accurate as 99.99%(p>0.0014), nearly.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2008

For solid organ transplant, ABO blood type of donor and recipient should be compatible in principle. Recent improvement of immunosuppressant made HLA typing not so important while no-mismatch transplant still shows the longest graft survival. PRA(panel reactive antibody) test is to screen and identify recipients with HLA sensitization. When solid organ transplant is scheduled, cross-match test of donor cell and recipient serum should be performed and positive result of cross-match prohibits transplantation. Donor specific antibody(DSA) test can predict the severity of recipient immune reaction against donor organ. Today's mainstay of allograft immunosuppressant regimen is triple therapy of steroid, calcineurin inhibitor(cyclosporine, tacrolimus), azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil(MMF). Antibody induction using Thymoglobulin or anti-IL-2 receptor antibody(basiliximab or daclizumab) is frequently practiced as well.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 1982

Streptococcus mutans strains were isolated from dental plaques of carious lesions of 53 patients on mitis-salivarius-bacitracin (MSB) and mitis-salivarius(MS) medium as a supplement. The epidemiological investigation was carried out to determine the biotypes and serotypes of S. mutans isolates. For the serotyping, autoclaved extract antigens from the isolates and serotype-specific antisera against seven known serotypes of S. mutans were prepared. The serotypes of the isolates were demonstrated in immunodiffusion test. In addtition, the prevalence of ${\beta}$-hemolysis on 5% sheep blood agar plate in restricted anaerobic condition and yellow pigment production on 5% sucrose agar plate in less anaerobic condition among the isolates were investigated. The results were as follows: 1. Forty-eight S. mutans strains were isolated from dental plaque samples of 33 patients (62.3%) among 53 patients. 2. Of the isolates, some strains were not grown on MSB medium. 3. Serotype c S. mutans was found in 60.6%, serotype d was found in 30.3% of the patients who were known to harbor S. mutans. 4. Of. the isolates, serotype c isolates were most prevalent (43.8%), serotype d isolates were 25.0%, and serotype b, e, f and g isolates were also found but in lower frequencies. Serotype a S. mutans were not detected. 5. The correlation between serotype and biotype of the isolates was found in 78.6% of the typing cases. 6. Strains revealed ${\beta}$-hemolysis were in 52.1% of the isolates, strains produced yellow pigment were in 47.9% of the isolates, and with one exception, all the strains were belong to serotype c, e and f. 7. The majority of the isolates which revealed ${\beta}$-hemolysis appeared to be yellow pigmented, these isolates were belong to serotype c, e and f.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.546-554
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• 2005

We assessed the genetic relations and epidemiological links among bloodstream isolates of Candida albicans, which were obtained from a university hospital over a period of five years. The 54 bloodstream isolates from the 38 patients yielded 14 different karyotypes, 29 different patterns after digestion with SfiI (REAG-S), and 31 different patterns after digestion with BssHII (REAG-B) when analyzed using three different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing methods. In 11 patients with serial blood stream isolates, all strains from each patient had the same PFGE pattern. The dendrograms for all of the strains revealed that the distribution of similarity values ranged from 0.70 to 1.0 in the REAG-S patterns, and from 0.35 to 1.0 in the REAG-B patterns. Overall, the combination of the three different PFGE methods identified 31 distinct types, reflecting the results obtained using the REAG-B alone different. different Five PFGE types were shared among 22 isolates from 12 patients. These types of strains were more frequently associated with central venous catheter-related fungemia than the other 26 type strains $(92\%\;versus\;31\%;\;P<0.005)$. Of five PFGE types, four isolates were determined to be epidemiologically related: each of these types was primarily from two or three patients who had been hospitalized concurrently within the same intensive care unit. Our results suggest that the REAG-B constitutes perhaps the most useful PFGE method for investigating C. albicans candidemia and also shows that a relatively high proportion of C. albicans candidemia may be associated with exogenous acquisition of clonal strains.