• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2012

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of HPV and cervical neoplasia among HIV-infected women in southwestern China. Methods: Cervical cytology, HPV detection by Hybrid Capture-$2^{TM}$ assay, and diagnostic colposcopy were followed by cervical biopsy if indicated. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze associations between HPV co-infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and HIV-related clinical and laboratory parameters. Results: Colposcopic-histopathologically proven CIN2+ lesions were present in 7/83 (8.4%) HIV-infected women. Nearly half (41/83, 43%) were co-infected with carcinogenic HPV genotypes. HPV co-infection was higher in women with colposcopic-histopathologically proven CIN2+ lesions than women with $cells/{\mu}L$ had higher CIN2+ prevalence after adjusting for current ART status and age (adjusted OR: 6.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 36.5). Conclusions: HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs should integrate effective cervical cancer prevention services to mitigate the risk of invasive cervical cancer among HIV-infected women in China.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.187-200
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• 2014

Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are the most common cause of genital ulceration in humans worldwide. Typically, HSV-1 and 2 infections via mucosal route result in a lifelong latent infection after peripheral replication in mucosal tissues, thereby providing potential transmission to neighbor hosts in response to reactivation. To break the transmission cycle, immunoprophylactics and therapeutic strategies must be focused on prevention of infection or reduction of infectivity at mucosal sites. Currently, our understanding of the immune responses against mucosal infection of HSV remains intricate and involves a balance between innate signaling pathways and the adaptive immune responses. Numerous studies have demonstrated that HSV mucosal infection induces type I interferons (IFN) via recognition of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and activates multiple immune cell populations, including NK cells, conventional dendritic cells (DCs), and plasmacytoid DCs. This innate immune response is required not only for the early control of viral replication at mucosal sites, but also for establishing adaptive immune responses against HSV antigens. Although the contribution of humoral immune response is controversial, $CD4^+$ Th1 T cells producing IFN-${\gamma}$ are believed to play an important role in eradicating virus from the hosts. In addition, the recent experimental successes of immunoprophylactic and therapeutic compounds that enhance resistance and/or reduce viral burden at mucosal sites have accumulated. This review focuses on attempts to modulate innate and adaptive immunity against HSV mucosal infection for the development of prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. Notably, cells involved in innate immune regulations appear to shape adaptive immune responses. Thus, we summarized the current evidence of various immune mediators in response to mucosal HSV infection, focusing on the importance of innate immune responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.429-435
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• 1999

An adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase (AMP aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.6) was purified to homogeneity from the cell-free extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DKCTC7248. The molecular mass of subunit was estimated to be 80 kDa on SDS-PAGE, and that of the holoenzyme was shown to be 240 kDa by gel filtration. The isoelectric point of the enzyme (AMP deaminase D) was determined to be 6.2. The AMP deaminase D was specific towards AMP with an apparent $K_m$ value of 4.1 mM and a Hill coefficient, $n_H$, of 2.2. Both ATP and ADP were positive allosteric effectors of the AMP deaminase D: The apparent $K_{m}$ was decreased to 1.6 mM and 3.3 mM in the presence of 0.1 mM ATP and ADP, respectively, lowering $n_{H}$ to 1.0. Univalent cations like $K^+, Na^+ and Li^ +$ activated the enzyme but some divalent cations such as $Cu^{ 2+} and Cd^{2+}$ showed strong inhibitory effects. This enzyme displayed optimum activity at $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0. In addition, it was stable up to $45^{\circ}C$ and over a wide pH range(pH 5.5-9.0). Amino acid sequences of its N-terminal region were analyzed to be ADYKMQMFADDA.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.408-415
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• 2004

The expression of the Paenibacillus sp. A11 cyclodextrinase (CDase) gene using the pUC 18 vector in Escherichia coli JM 109 resulted in the formation of an insoluble CDase protein in the cell debris in addition to a soluble CDase protein in the cytoplasm. Unlike the expression in Paenibacillus sp. A11, CDase was primarily observed in cytoplasm. However, by adding 0.5 M sorbitol as an osmolyte, the formation of insoluble CDase was prevented while a three-fold increase in cytoplasmic CDase activity was achieved after a 24 h-induction. The recombinant CDase protein was purified to approximately 14-fold with a 31% recovery to a specific activity of 141 units/mg protein by 40-60% ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-Toyopearl 650 M, and Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. It was homogeneous by non-denaturing and SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was a single polypeptide with a molecular weight of 80 kDa, as determined by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. It showed the highest activity at pH 7.0 and $40^{\circ}C$. The catalytic efficiency ($k_{cat}/K_m$) values for $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, and $\gamma$-CD were $3.0{\times}10^5$, $8.8{\times}10^5$, and $5.5{\times}10^5\;M^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, respectively. The enzyme hydrolyzed CDs and linear maltooligosaccharides to yield maltose and glucose with less amounts of maltotriose and maltotetraose. The rates of hydrolysis for polysaccharides, soluble starch, and pullulan were very low. The cloned CDase was strongly inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide and diethylpyrocarbonate, but activated by dithiothreitol. A comparison of the biochemical properties of the CDases from Paenibacillus sp. A11 and E. coli transformant (pJK 555) indicates that they were almost identical.

• 한국재료학회지
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• 제31권11호
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• pp.619-625
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• 2021

Cu₂ZnSn(S,Se)₄ (CZTSSe) based thin-film solar cells have attracted growing attention because of their earth-abundant and non-toxic elements. However, because of their large open-circuit voltage (V_oc)-deficit, CZTSSe solar cells exhibit poor device performance compared to well-established Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)₂ (CIGS) and CdTe based solar cells. One of the main causes of this large V_oc-deficit is poor absorber properties for example, high band tailing properties, defects, secondary phases, carrier recombination, etc. In particular, the fabrication of absorbers using physical methods results in poor surface morphology, such as pin-holes and voids. To overcome this problem and form large and homogeneous CZTSSe grains, CZTSSe based absorber layers are prepared by a sputtering technique with different RTA conditions. The temperature is varied from 510 ℃ to 540 ℃ during the rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process. Further, CZTSSe thin films are examined with X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, IPCE, Energy dispersive spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy techniques. The present work shows that Cu-based secondary phase formation can be suppressed in the CZTSSe absorber layer at an optimum RTA condition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.287-295
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• 2022

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is known to induce apoptosis of host immune cells and impair phagocytic clearance, thereby being pivotal in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) exert therapeutic effects against inflammatory and immune diseases. In the present study, we investigated whether systemic administration of ASCs restores the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decolonizes cutaneous S. aureus under AD conditions. AD was induced by injecting capsaicin into neonatal rat pups. ASCs were extracted from the subcutaneous adipose tissues of naïve rats and administered to AD rats once a week for a month. Systemic administration of ASCs ameliorated AD-like symptoms, such as dermatitis scores, serum IgE, IFN-γ⁺/IL-4⁺ cell ratio, and skin colonization by S. aureus in AD rats. Increased FasL mRNA and annexin V⁺/7-AAD⁺ cells in the PBMCs obtained from AD rats were drastically reversed when co-cultured with ASCs. In contrast, both PBMCs and CD163⁺ cells bearing fluorescent zymosan particles significantly increased in AD rats treated with ASCs. Additionally, the administration of ASCs led to an increase in the mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin and β-defensin, in the skin of AD rats. Our results demonstrate that systemic administration of ASCs led to decolonization of S. aureus by attenuating apoptosis of immune cells in addition to restoring phagocytic activity. This contributes to the improvement of skin conditions in AD rats. Therefore, administration of ASCs may be helpful in the treatment of patients with intractable AD.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.301-310
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• 1998

연구배경: 결핵성 흉막염은 면학적으로 흉강내에 국소적으로 활성화된 CD4+ T림프구와 대식세포가 관여하는 세포매개면역이 중요한 역할을 하며 이들의 상호작용은 다양한 사이토카인에 의해 좌우된다고 알려져 있다. 특히 helper T cell type 1 (Th1) 사이토카인인 IL-12 및 IFN-$\gamma$와 Th2 사이토카인인 IL-4 및 IL-10간의 균형이 세포매개반응의 정도를 결정한다고 생각되고 있다. 본 연구는 세포매개면역반응의 지표로서 Th1 사이토카인인 IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$와 이들과 길항적으로 작용한다고 알려져있는 Th2 사이토카인 중 IL-10이 결핵성 흉수내에 어떻게 표현되는지를 검사하여 대조군인 악성 흉수와 비교함으로써 결핵성 흉막염의 변역학적 기전을 이해하는데 도움이 되고자 하였으며 아울러 사이토카인의 진단적 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법: 각 20명의 결핵성 흉막염과 악성 흉막염 환자를 대상으로 흉수와 혈장에서 IL-10, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$를 측정하고 흉수에서의 ADA를 측정하여 비교하였다. 사이토카인은 대상환자의 혈액과 흉수를 원심분리하여 얻은 상층액을 ELISA 방법으로 측정하였고 ADA 활성도는 비색법으로 측정하였다. 결 과: 결핵성 흉막염 환자에서 흉수의 IL-10, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$의 농도는 $121.3{\pm}83.7$ pg/mL, $571.4{\pm}472.7$ pg/mL, $420.4{\pm}285.9$ pg/mL로 혈장의 $21.2{\pm}60.9$ pg/mL, $194.5{\pm}67.6$ pg/mL, $30.1{\pm}18.3$ pg/mL 보다 모두 유의하게 높았다 (p<0.01). 악성 흉막염 환자에서 흉수의 IL-10, IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$의 농도는 $88.4{\pm}40.4$ pg/mL, $306.5{\pm}271.1$ pg/mL, $30.5{\pm}54.8$ pg/mL로 혈장의 $43.4 {\pm}67.2$ pg/mL, $206.8{\pm}160.6$ pg/mL, $14.6{\pm}3.3$ pg/mL와 비교하였을때 IL-10 만이 유의하게 높았고 (p<0.001) IL12, IFN-$\gamma$에선 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결핵성 흉막염과 악성 흉막염 환자의 흉수에서의 농도를 비교하였을 때 IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, ADA는 결핵성 흉막염에서 유의하게 높았으나 (p=0.046, <0.001, <0.001) IL-10은 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결핵성 흉수염을 악성 흉수염과 감별하는데 있어 IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$, ADA의 기준을 각각 300 pg/mL, 100 pg/mL, 45 U/L으로 하였을때 민감도/특이도는 IL-12에서 60%/70%, IFN-$\gamma$에서 90%/85%, ADA 에서 85%/90%였다. 결 론: 결핵성 흉수에서 흉강내에 Th1 사이토카인인 IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$와 함께 IL-10이 증가되어 있었고 악성흉수와 비교했을때 IL-12, IFN-$\gamma$는 유의하게 증가되어 있었으나 IL-10은 의의가 없었다. 따라서 결핵성 흉막염의 면역기전에 Th1 경로의 세포매개변역반응이 주로 관여함을 확인할 수 있었고 국소적인 IL-10 증가의 임상적 의의는 추후의 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다. 또한 IFN-$\gamma$와 ADA는 결핵성 흉수와 악성 흉수와의 감별에 유용한 진단법으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.547-552
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• 2004

최근 들어 심부전증을 치료하기 위한 새로운 방법으로 골수줄기세포를 심근에 이식하여 신생혈관을 생성하거나 새로운 심근 생성을 조장하여 심장기능을 개선시키려는 노력이 활발히 진행되고 있다. 저자들은 심근경색 후 심근의 기능이 저하된 환자에서 심장박동 상태에서 관상동맥우회술 (OPCAB)과 우회술이 불가능한 부위의 골수줄기세포 이식을 동시에 시행한 연구결과를 보고하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: 관상동맥우회술과 골수줄기세포 이식을 동시에 시행 받았던 4명의 남자 환자를 대상으로 하였다 대상 환자의 평균연령은 58세(48∼73세)로 모두 불안정성 협심증으로 심근경색의 기왕력이 있었다. 환자의 장골에서 골수를 채취한 후 단핵세포만을 분리하였으며(평균 세포 수 1.5 ${\times}$ $10^{9}$ 개), 이 중에는 평균 6.7${\times}$$10^{6}$ CD34 + 세포와 3.7 ${\times}$ $10^{6}$ AC133 + 세포가 포함되었다. 분리된 단핵세포는 10 cc로 농축하였다. 수술은 관상동맥우회술이 가능한 좌전하행지 부위에는 OPCAB을 시행하고, 나머지 우회로술이 불가능한 심근에는 분리한 단핵세포를 이식하였다. 이식 전 모든 환자는 심초음파, MIBI scan 및 자기공명영상(MRI)으로 심근의 기능을 검사하였다. 수술 후 1개월에 심초음파 및 MIBI scan을 시행하여 수술 전과 비교하였다 결과: 평균 이식편수는 2개였으며, 수술 후 사망이나 부정맥 등 합병증은 없었다. 수술 후 1개월 추적검사에서 모든 환자의 증상은 호전되었으며, 심초음파상에서 좌심실 박출계수는 49%에서 55%로 개선되었고, MIBI scan에서 세포이식 부위의 현저한 관류 개선이 모든 환자에서 있었다. 결론: 심장박동 상태에서 관상동맥우회술(OPCAB)과 우회술이 불가능한 부위에 골수줄기세포 이식을 동시에 시행하는 것은 안전하면서도 심장기능의 개선을 보여주었다. 그러나 심장기능의 개선이 골수줄기세포 단독의 효과라고 단정하기는 어려우며, 따라서 대조군을 이용한 연구가 이어져야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.421-427
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• 2003

담수 식물 뿌리에 부착하는 미생물의 중금속 흡착력을 조사하기 위하여 Enterobacter intermedious KH410을 분리하여 이 균주에 대한 납과 카드뮴, 구리에 대한 생흡착 특성을 조사하였다. 각각의 중금속에 대한 최저 생육 저지 농도는 납은 1.78 mM, 카드뮴은 0.17 mM, 구리는 1.39 mM 이었다. 흡착에 이용하기 위한 최대 균체 생산은 최적 조건하에서 2.56 g DCW/ $\ell$-medium이었다. 최적 흡착조건은 0.6 g-biomass, pH 4, 온도는 $20^{\circ}C$일 때이었다. 흡착평형은 30분에서, 반응용액은 400 mg/$\ell$이었다. 흡착용량(K)은 구리가 카드뮴의 1.5배, 납은 카드뮴의 1.1배로 구리가 가장 높았으며 흡착강도(1/n)는 카드뮴>구리>납의 순 이었다. 흡착강도에 따른 등온식 적용은 세가지 중금속 모두 Freundlich 흡착등온식이 적합하였다. 건조 균체를 이용한 최대 흡착은 납과 카드뮴, 구리에 대하여 각각 56.2, 58.0, 55.8 mg/g-biomass 이었다. 흡착강도를 높이기 위한 전처리제로는 0.1 M NaOH가 적합하였으며 중금속 별로는 큰 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 한편 중금속 회수를 위한 탈착 시험에서는 납은 0.1 M EDTA에서, 카드뮴과 구리는 0.1 M HNO$_3$에서 높은 탈착율을 나타내었다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objective: The DNA integrity of spermatozoa that attach to fallopian tube (FT) cells is higher than spermatozoa that do not attach. FT epithelial cells can distinguish normal and abnormal sperm chromatin. This study investigated the effects of sperm with a high-DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from men with unexplained repeated implantation failure (RIF) on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in human FT cells in vitro. Methods: Ten men with a RIF history and high-DFI and 10 healthy donors with low-DFI comprised the high-DFI (>30%) and control (<30%) groups, respectively. After fresh semen preparation, sperm were co-cultured with a human FT epithelial cell line (OE-E6/E7) for 24 hours. RNA was extracted from the cell line and the human innate and adaptive immune responses were tested using an RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Results: The PCR array data showed significantly higher TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-6, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, interferon α (IFN-α), IFN-β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), CXCL8, GM-CSF, G-CSF, CD14, ELK1, IRAK1, IRAK2, IRAK4, IRF1, IRF3, LY96, MAP2K3, MAP2K4, MAP3K7, MAP4K4, MAPK8, MAPK8IP3, MYD88, NFKB1, NFKB2, REL, TIRAP, and TRAF6 expression in the high-DFI group than in the control group. These factors are all involved in the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway. Conclusion: The MyD88-dependent pathway through TLR-1, TLR-2, and TLR-6 activation may be one of the main inflammatory pathways activated by high-DFI sperm from men with RIF. Following activation of this pathway, epithelial cells produce inflammatory cytokines, resulting in neutrophil infiltration, activation, phagocytosis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and apoptosis.