• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4617-4622
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• 2014

Background: Several studies have previously focused on associations between the (GT)n repeat polymorphism of the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene promoter region and risk of cancers, but results are complex. We conducted the present meta-analysis to integrate relevant findings and evaluate the association between HO-1(GT)n repeat polymorphism and cancer susceptibility. Materials and Methods: Published literature was retrieved from the PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of Science databases before November 2013. For all alleles and genogypes, odds ratios were pooled to assess the strength of the associations using either fixed-effects or random-effects models according to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was conducted according to ethnicity and histopathology. Results: A total of 10 studies involving 2,367 cases and 2,870 controls were identified. The results showed there was no association between HO-1 (GT)n repeat polymorphism and the cancer risk both at the allelic and genotypic level. However, in the stratified analysis, we observed an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in persons carrying the LL genotype and the LL+LS genotype as compared with those carrying the SS genotype. When the LS and SS genotypes were combined, the odds ratio for squamous cell carcinoma in LL-genotype carriers, were also significantly increased. No publication bias was observed. Conclusions: The LL genotype and L-allele carrying genotypes (LL+LS) of HO-1 (GT)n repeat polymorphism are potential genetic factors for developing squamous cell carcinoma. More large and well-designed studies are required for further validations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4697-4703
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• 2014

Background: Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is a multifunctional cytokine which plays a key role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as in cancer. Genetic polymorphisms of IL-16 have been implicated in susceptibility to cancer. However, associations remain inconclusive. The present meta-analysis was therefore carried out to establish a more conclusive association of IL-16 polymorphisms with cancer risk. Materials and Methods: Relevant studies were searched through the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Wan fang electronic databases updated in October 2013. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess the association between IL-16 polymorphisms and cancer risk. Results: Eight eligible studies (rs4778889 T/C: 8, rs11556218 T/G: 7, rs4072111 C/T: 6) that met our selection criteria were included. The meta-analysis indicated that rs11556218 T/G was associated with a significant increased risk of cancer (G vs. T, OR=1.321, 95% CI=1.142-1.528, P<0.001; TG vs. TT, OR=1.665, 95% CI=1.448-1.915, P<0.001; GG+TG vs. TT, OR=1.622, 95% CI=1.416-1.858, P<0.001),as well as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and colorectal cancer. Furthermore, in the subgroup of Chinese, significant associations were found between rs11556218 polymorphism and cancer risk. There was no statistically significant association between the other two variants (rs4778889, rs4072111) and risk of cancer. Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that the IL-16 rs11556218 polymorphism is associated with increased cancer risk. Large well-designed studies involving various cancer types and different populations are now needed.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2013

Selected 11 rice transgenic lines, through preliminary yield trials on 32 lines, were evaluated on important agronomic traits as well as grain quality by conducting replicated yield trials having three replication plots. Japonica recipients, Nipponbare, Nagdongbyeo, and Dongjinbyeo, were the recipients of 7 transformed genes, which were putatively related with high yield, abiotic stress tolerance, and disease resistance. To estimate the degrees of deviations from the wild types, 11 traits of transgenic lines, relating with grain quality were evaluated and subjected to multivariate analyses. Principal coordinate and clustering analyses did not support collection manners of transgenic lines in terms of the genes transformed as well as the genetic background. Meanwhile, some transgenic lines would be acceptable due to their over-all performances were similar to their wild types, it was hardly possible to declare any transgenic line, which adhered closely to the commercial profits of wild type. Thereby, with considerations on the demanding resources in establishing rice transgenic lines having market competitiveness, it was speculated that proper application of breeding strategies would be crucial factor for the efficiency of developing prospective rice transgenic lines.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2491-2497
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• 2016

Background: Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have been implicated in cervical cancer in several populations. Objectives: To study the predispositions of HLA alleles/haplotypes with cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: Clinically diagnosed and PAP smear confirmed cervical cancer patients (n 48) and age matched controls (n 47) were genotyped for HLA-A,-B,-DRB1* and DQB1* alleles by PCR-SSP methods. Results: The frequencies of alleles DRB1*04 (OR=2.57), DRB1*15 (OR=2.04), DQB1*0301 (OR=4.91), DQB1*0601 (OR=2.21), B*15 (OR=13.03) and B*07 (OR=6.23) were higher in cervical cancer patients than in the controls. The frequencies of alleles DRB1*10 (OR=0.22) and B*35 (OR=0.19) were decreased. Strong disease associations were observed for haplotypes DRB1*15-DQB1*0601 (OR=6.56; p< $3.5{\times}10^{-4}$), DRB1*14-DQB1*0501 (OR=6.51; p<0.039) and A*11-B*07 (OR=3.95; p<0.005). The reduced frequencies of haplotypes DRB1*10-DQB1*0501 (OR=0.45), A*03-B*35 (OR=0.25) and A*11-B*35 (OR= 0.06) among patients suggested a protective association. HLA-C* typing of 8 patients who possessed a unique three locus haplotype 'A*11-B*07-DRB1*04' (8/48; 16.66%; OR=6.51; p<0.039) revealed the presence of a four locus haplotype 'A*11-B*07-C*01-DRB1*04' in patients (4/8; 50%). Amino acid variation analysis of susceptible allele DQB1*0601 suggested 'tyrosine' at positions ${\beta}9$ and ${\beta}37$ and tyrosine-non-tyrosine genotype combination increased the risk of cervical cancer. Conclusions: Strong susceptible associations were documented for HLA alleles B*15, B*07, DRB1*04, DRB1*15, DQB1*0301, DQB1*0601 and haplotypes DRB1*15-DQB1*0601 and DRB1*14-DQB1*0501. Further, protective associations were evidenced for alleles B*35 and DRB1*10 and haplotypes A*11-B*35 and DRB1*10-DQB1*0501 with cervical cancer in South India.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.76 no.5
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• pp.226-232
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• 2014

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation and results from environmental factors and genetic factors. Although cigarette smoking is a major risk factor, other environmental exposures can influence COPD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical characteristics of COPD according to the history of environmental exposure. Methods: The study population comprised of 347 subjects with COPD who were recruited from the pulmonary clinics of 14 hospitals within the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease Study Group. We classified environmental exposures according to history of living near factory, and direct exposure history to firewood or briquette. According to living environmental exposures, we compared the frequency of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, quality of life, exercise capacity, and computed tomography phenotypes. Results: Thirty-one subjects (8.9%) had history of living near factory, 271 (78.3%) had exposure history to briquette, and 184 (53.3%) had exposure history to firewood. Patients with history of living near a factory had a significantly longer duration of sputum, while patients with exposure to firewood tended to have lower forced expiratory volume in one second, and patients with exposure to briquette tended to have lower six minute walk distance. Conclusion: COPD subjects with the history of living near factory had more frequent respiratory symptoms such as sputum. Our data suggest that environmental exposure may influence clinical phenotype of COPD.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.249-255
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• 2017

The rice blast fungus is a representative model phytopathogenic fungus in which Gene-for-Gene interaction with host rice is applicable. After 1980, eight differential varieties have been constructed and classified to analyze the race of rice blast isolates in Korea. However, since there is limited information about the genetic background of rice blast resistance genes within the Korean differentials, scientific analysis on the emergence of new race or resistance break down was difficult. Recently, a differential system has been developed using monogenic resistance lines to understand the interactions of pathogen race and rice resistance genes. In this study, a total of 50 isolates were selected from four different races isolated in Korea, and they were inoculated into monogenic lines. As a result, the isolates in the same race classified by the Korean differential system reacted differently in single monogenic lines. This suggests that the isolates categorized as the same race group contains different avirulence genes and furthermore, it is presumed that the Korean differential system is difficult to provide useful information for breeding program. For this reason, introduction of differential system using monogenic resistance lines is required in addition to the current system.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.154-158
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• 2010

Embryo Transfer (ET) is one of the assisted reproductive technologies and a useful tool for improving herds. The purpose of this study is to produce the calves using frozen embryos which were produced in the top one percent Holstein in Canada by ET. One hundred seventeen recipients were used for surrogate mothers and seventy cows were diagnosed to be pregnant. Fifty seven calves were born successfully and thirteen out of them failed to produce viable calves (abortion: 4, stillbirth: 9). Their gestational length, birth body weight and sex ratio for all the viable calves(n = 57) were $278.1{\pm}3.6$ days (range: from 271 to 286 days), $44.0{\pm}3.0\;kg$ (range: from 37 to 49 kg) and 57.9 vs. 42.1 % (male 33 and female 24), respectively. Microsatellite analysis confirmed that they were derived from frozen embryos. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that viable calves derived from frozen-thawed embryos from Canada were born by ET.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference
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• 2001.06a
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• pp.1162-1162
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• 2001

Whereas NIR spectroscopy has been applied in agriculture for more than 20 years, few studies refer to those plant substances occurring only in smaller amounts. Nevertheless there is a growing interest today to support efficiently activities in the production of high-quality medicinal and spice plants by this fast and non-invasive method. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to develop new NIR methods for the reliable prediction of secondary metabolites found as valuable substances in various plant species. First, sophisticated NIR methods were established to perform fast quality analyses of intact fennel, caraway and dill fruits deriving from single-plants [1]. Later on, a characterization of several leaf drugs and the corresponding fresh material has been successfully performed. In this context robust calibrations have been developed for dried peppermint, rosemary and sage leaves for the determination of their individual essential oil content and composition [2]. A specially adopted NIR method has been developed also for the analysis of carnosic acid in the leaves of numerous rosemary and sage gene bank accessions. Carnosic acid is an antioxidative substance for which several health promoting properties including cancer preservation are assumed. Also some other calibrations have been developed for non-volatile substances such as aspalathin (in unfermented rooibos leaves), catechins (in green tea) and echinacoside (in different Echinacea species) [3]. Some NIR analyses have also been successfully performed on fresh material, too. In spite of the fact that these measurements showed less accuracy in comparison to dried samples, the calibration equations are precise enough to register the individual plant ontogenesis and genetic background. Based on the information received, the farmers and breeders are able to determine the right harvest time (when the valuable components have reached their optimum profile) and to select high-quality genotypes during breeding experiments, respectively. First promising attempts have also been made to introduce mobile diode array spectrometers to collect the spectral data directly on the field or in the individual natural habitats. Since the development of reliable NIRS methods in this special field of application is very time-consuming and needs continuous maintenance of the calibration equations over a longer period, it is convenient to supply the corresponding calibration data to interested user via NIRS network. The present status of all activities, preformed in this context during the last three years, will be presented in detail.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: It is well-known that alcohol consumption is associated with stroke risk as well as with aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) polymorphisms. However, it is unclear whether ALDH2 polymorphisms are associated with stroke risk independent of alcohol consumption and whether such association is modified by sex. We evaluated sex-specific associations of a common ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol consumption with stroke risk in a Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 8,465 men and women, aged 40-69 years and free of stroke between June, 2001 and January, 2003, and followed for the development of stroke. We identified new cases of stroke, which were self-reported or ascertained from vital registration data. Based on genome-wide association data, we selected a single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs2074356), which shows high linkage disequilibrium with the functional polymorphism of ALDH2. We conducted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis considering potential risk factors collected from a baseline questionnaire. RESULTS: Over the median follow-up of 8 years, 121 cases of stroke were identified. Carrying the wild-type allele of the ALDH2 polymorphism increased stroke risk among men. The multivariate hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] of stroke was 2.02 [1.03-3.99] for the wild-type allele compared with the mutant alleles, but the association was attenuated after controlling for alcohol consumption. Combinations of the wild-type allele and other risk factors of stroke, such as old age, diabetes mellitus, and habitual snoring, synergistically increased the risk among men. Among women, however, the ALDH2 polymorphism was not associated with stroke risk. CONCLUSIONS: The prospective cohort study showed a significant association between a common ALDH2 polymorphism and stroke risk in Korean men, but not in Korean women, and also demonstrated that men with genetic disadvantages gain more risk when having risk factors of stroke. Thus, these men may need to make more concerted efforts to control modifiable risk factors of stroke.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2003

Objective: To investigate the association of genetic background between MTHFR C677T genotype and infertile females with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Materials and Methods: We compared 86 infertile females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) with 100 healthy fertile females with one or more offspring. Pyrosequencing analysis for MTHFR C677T variation was performed on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product of study group. To validate pyrosequencing data of C677T variation for randomly selected 50 samples, we compared the pyrosequencing result with the PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) result of MTHFR C677T genotype. Results: The prevalence of the C677T mutant homozygous (TT) was significantly lower (p=0.0085) in females with PCOS (8.14%) than in fertile females (21.00%). MTHFR 677 TT genotype had a decreased risk (3.7-fold) of PCOS compared with wild type (MTHFR 677 CC). Conclusion: Our data support a role for MTHFR mutant homozygous (677 TT) genotype in reducing risk in Korean infertile females with Polycystic ovarian syndrome.