• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2341-2344
• /
• 2014

Background: p53 protein expression has been detected immunohistochemically in papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC). We investigated the relations between its expression and clinicopathologic features and its significance as a diagnostic marker. Materials and Methods: We compared and evaluated 93 patients in whom thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection had been performed to treat PTC for clinicopathologic significance and 102 patients with 23 papillary thyroid overt carcinomas (POC), 57 papillary thyroid microcarcinomas(PMC), 5 follicular adenomas (FA), 5 Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 12 nodular hyperplasias (NH) for significance as a diagnostic marker. Expression of p53 protein was evaluated immunohistochemically in sections of paraffinembedded tissue. Results: Statistical analysis showed significantly different expression of p53 in PTC versus other benign thyroid lesions (BTL).The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 85.0% and 72.7%, respectively. Overexpression of p53 protein was observed in 44 of the 93 PTC cases (47.3%), but no significant correlation between p53 protein overexpression and clinicopathologic features (age, size, multiplicity, lymph node metastasis, extrathyroidal extension and vascular invasion) was noted. Conclusions: p53 is valuable to distinguish PTC from other BTL, but there is no correlation between p53 protein overexpression and clinicopathologic features.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.230-234
• /
• 2019

Currently, the genetic modification of Aspergillus oryzae is mainly dependent on protoplast-mediated transformation (PMT). In this study, we established a dual selection marker system in an industrial A. oryzae 3.042 strain by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (ATMT). We first constructed a uridine/uracil auxotrophic A. oryzae 3.042 strain and a pyrithiamine (PT)-resistance binary vector. Then, we established the ATMT system by using uridine/uracil auxotrophy and PT-resistance genes as selection markers. Finally, a dual selection marker ATMT system was developed. This study demonstrates a useful dual selection marker transformation system for genetic manipulations of A. oryzae 3.042.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.57-58
• /
• 2018

An accurate diagnostic marker for detecting early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (eHCC) is clinically important, since early detection of HCC remarkably improves patient survival. From the integrative analysis of the transcriptome and clinicopathologic data of human multi-stage HCC tissues, we were able to identify barrier-to-autointegration factor 1 (BANF1), procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 3 (PLOD3) and splicing factor 3b subunit 4 (SF3B4) as early HCC biomarkers which could be detected in precancerous lesions of HCC, with superior capabilities to diagnose eHCC compared to the currently popular HCC diagnostic biomarkers: GPC3, GS, and HSP70. We then showed that SF3B4 knockdown caused G1/S cell cycle arrest by recovering $p27^{kip1}$ and simultaneously suppressing cyclins, and CDKs in liver cancer cells. Notably, we demonstrated that aberrant SF3B4 overexpression altered the progress of splicing progress of the tumor suppressor gene, kruppel like factor 4 (KLF4), and resulted in non-functional skipped exon transcripts. This contributes to liver tumorigenesis via transcriptional inactivation of $p27^{kip1}$ and simultaneous activation of Slug genes. Our results suggest that SF3B4 indicates early-stage HCC in precancerous lesions, and also functions as an early-stage driver in the development of liver cancer.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.62 no.6
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic value of eosinopenia and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in the diagnosis of early onset neonatal sepsis (EONS). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Neonatology Ward of R.D. Kandou General Hospital Manado between July and October 2017. Samples were obtained from all neonates meeting the inclusion criteria for EONS. Data were encoded using logistic regression analysis, the point-biserial correlation coefficient, chi-square test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, with a P value <0.05 considered significant. Results: Of 120 neonates who met the inclusion criteria, 73 (60.8%) were males and 47 (39.2%) were females. Ninety (75%) were included in the sepsis group and 30 (25%) in the nonsepsis group. The mean eosinophil count in EONS and non-EONS groups was $169.8{\pm}197.1cells/mm^3$ and $405.7{\pm}288.9cells/mm^3$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of eosinopenia in the EONS group (cutoff point: $140cells/mm^3$) showed 60.0% sensitivity and 90.0% specificity. The mean NLR in EONS and non-EONS groups was $2.82{\pm}2.29$ and $0.82{\pm}0.32$, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The diagnostic value of NLR in the EONS group (cutoff point, 1.24) showed 83.3% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Conclusion: Eosinopenia has high specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS and an increased NLR has high sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic marker for EONS.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.8
• /
• pp.4049-4057
• /
• 2016

Background: High-risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV), particularly types 16 and 18, have been found to play an important role in head and neck cancer, including oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). p16, a cell cycle inhibitor, has been postulated as a surrogate marker for HR-HPV, since p16 is aberrantly overexpressed in such lesions, especially in HR-HPV-positive OPSCC. However, p16 as a surrogate marker for HR-HPV infection in cancers of the oral cavity remains controversial. Objective: The objectives of the study were to investigate the expression of p16 and the presence of HR-HPV in OSCC and oral verrucous carcinoma (VC) and to determine if p16 could be used as a surrogate marker for HR-HPV. Materials and Methods: Forty one formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of OSCC (n=37) or VC (n=4) with clinical and histopathologic data of each case were collected. Expression of p16 was determined by immunohistochemistry, focusing on both staining intensity and numbers of positive cells. The presence of HPV types 16 and 18 was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Descriptive statistics were employed to describe the demographic, clinical, and histopathologic parameters. Associations between p16 overexpression, HR-HPV and all variables were determined by Fisher's exact test, odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In addition, the use of p16 as a surrogate marker for HR-HPV was analyzed by sensitivity and specificity tests. Results: p16 was overexpressed in 8/37 cases (21.6%) of OSCC and 2/4 cases (50%) of VC. HPV-16 was detected in 4/34 OSCC cases (11.8%) and HPV-18 was detected in 1/34 OSCC cases (2.9%). Co-infection of HPV-16/18 was detected in 1/4 VC cases (25%). Both p16 overexpression and HR-HPV were significantly associated with young patients with both OSCC and VC (p<0.05, OR 20, 95% CI 1.9-211.8; p<0.05, OR 23.3, 95% CI 2.4-229.7, respectively). p16 was able to predict the presence of HPV-16/18 in OSCC with 40% sensitivity and 79.3% specificity and in VC with 100% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity, respectively. Conclusions: p16 overexpression was found in 24.4% of both OSCC and VC. HR-HPV, regardless of type, was detected in 15.8% in cases of OSCC and VC combined. The results of sensitivity and specificity tests suggest that p16 can be used as a surrogate marker for HR-HPV in OSCC and VC.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.41 no.12
• /
• pp.993-999
• /
• 2018

One of the most interesting findings from genome-wide expression analysis is that a considerable amount of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is present in the cell. Recent studies have identified diverse biological functions of ncRNAs, which are expressed in a much wider array of forms than proteins. Certain ncRNAs associated with diseases, in particular, have attracted research attention as novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers. BC200 RNA, a 200-nucleotide ncRNA originally identified as a neuron-specific transcript, is abnormally over-expressed in several types of cancer tissue. A number of recent studies have suggested mechanisms by which abnormal expression of BC200 RNA contributes to the development of cancer. In this article, we first provide a brief review of a recent progress in identifying functions of BC200 RNA in cancer cells, and then offer examples of other ncRNAs as new therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for human cancer. Finally, we discuss future directions of studies on BC200 RNA for new cancer treatments.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.10
• /
• pp.451-456
• /
• 2014

Purpose: We evaluated serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of neonatal sepsis, and compared PCT levels with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 269 neonates with a suspected infection, admitted to Wonkwang University School of Medicine & Hospital between January 2011 and December 2012, for whom PCT and CRP values had been obtained. Neonates were categorized into 4 groups according to infection severity. CRP and PCT values were analyzed and compared, and their effectiveness as diagnostic markers was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and positive, and negative predictive values. Results: The mean PCT and CRP concentrations were respectively $56.27{\pm}81.89$ and $71.14{\pm}37.17mg/L$ in the "confirmed sepsis" group; $15.64{\pm}32.64$ and $39.23{\pm}41.41mg/L$ in the "suspected sepsis" group; $9.49{\pm}4.30$ and $0.97{\pm}1.16mg/L$ in the "mild infection" group; and $0.21{\pm}0.12$ and $0.72{\pm}0.7mg/L$ in the control group. High concentrations indicated greater severity of infection (P<0.001). Five of 18 patients with confirmed sepsis had low PCT levels (<1.0 mg/L) despite high CRP levels. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve was 0.951 for CRP and 0.803 for PCT. The cutoff concentrations of 0.5 mg/L for PCT and 1.0 mg/L for CRP were optimal for diagnosing neonatal sepsis (sensitivity, 88.29% vs. 100%; specificity, 58.17% vs. 85.66%; positive predictive value, 13.2% vs. 33.3%; negative predictive value, 98.6% vs. 100%, respectively). Conclusion: PCT is a highly effective early diagnostic marker of neonatal infection. However, it may not be as reliable as CRP.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2006

We have developed a polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) marker that can distinguish male-fertile (N) and male-sterile (S) cytoplasm in onions. The PCR-RFLP marker was located in a chloroplast psbA gene amplicon. Digesting the amplicons from different cytoplasm-containing varieties with the restriction enzyme MspI revealed that N-cytoplasm plants have a functional MspI site (CCGG), whereas the S-cytoplasm plants has a substitution in that site (CTGG), and thus no MspI target. The results obtained using this PCR-RFLP marker to distinguish between cytoplasmic male sterile factors in 35 onion varieties corresponded with those using a CMS-specific sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker. Moreover, the PCR-RFLP marker can identify N- ot S-cytoplasms in DNA sample mixtures in which they are in up to a 10-fold minority, indicating that use of the marker has high diagnostic precision. We also demonstrated the usefulness of the SNP detected in the psbA gene for high-throughput discrimination of CMS factors using Real-time PCR and a TaqMan probe assay.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2014

The death toll of Colorectal Carcinoma in Korea was 1,826 and 7,721 in the years 1992 and 2011, respectively. This rate of increase was shown to be more than 4.23 times higher than that of any other form of cancer. Therefore, Colorectal Carcinoma requires various diagnostic methods, and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) was applied as a new diagnostic tool. From this study with several microsatellite markers, only marker #13 was detected and observed D13S160 13% (4/30), D13S292 13% (4/30), D13S153 10% (3/30) in order. From the results of amplication with microsatellite marker, D13S292 37% (11/30), D13S153 33% (10/30), D13S160 33% (10/30) in order were shown. The appearance of a genetic mutation, which depends on the loci of Colorectal Carcinoma, was shown amplication from rectal cancer (3.77) which was higher than that of right Colorectal Carcinoma (2.08) (p<0.018). The genetic mutation with lymph node (4.13) appeared higher than normal (1.93) (p<0.001). There were no great differences in the genetic mutation dependent on disease, histological classification and increased group of serum CEA. Accordingly, it is suggested that the correct primers, which can evaluate MSI well from colorectal carcinoma, should be chosen and that MSI be considered a good prognosis and quality control tool.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2563-2566
• /
• 2013

Background: Interleukin-33 (IL-33) has recently been implicated in tumor immunity. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical role of serum IL-33 in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: Sera collected from 250 healthy volunteers (HV), 256 patients with benign lung diseases (BLD) and 262 NSCLC cases were subjected to IL-33 ELISA and relationships between serum IL-33 and clinical characteristics were evaluated. Results: Circulating IL-33 levels were higher in the NSCLC group in comparison with the HV and BLD groups (p<0.001). Using a cut-off level 68 pg/ml (95% specificity in the HV group), IL-33 showed a good diagnostic performance for NSCLC. Multivariate survival analysis indicated that serum IL-33 was an independent prognostic factor in the entire NSCLC group [hazards ratio (HR) = 0.64 for low versus high IL-33 levels, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.82; p<0.001] and in 165 selected patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease receiving chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52-0.94; p=0.013). Conclusions: IL-33 is a promising potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in NSCLC, independent of the therapeutic intervention.