• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.228-235
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• 1999

Objectives: Despite the importance of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) transmission through heterosexual contact, the features of heterosexual transmission has not been well studied in Korea. So we conducted a cross sectional study to determine the transmission rates in married couples and assess risk factors for male to female heterosexual transmission of HIV. Methods: 169 HIV-infected males and their female sex partners were recruited from 1985 to tune 1998. We examined female sex partner's HIV infection status and interviewed male index partners and their female sex partners about demographic characteristics and sexual practices. We analysed heterosexual transmission rate by epidemiologic characteristics, disease status and sexual practices. And we assessed risk factors for HIV infection by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 30 female sex partners were infected at enrollment, yielding an transmission rate of 17.8%. Among couples who had used condoms consistently, none of the female sex partners was infected with HIV. In univariate analysis the significant risk factors were full blown AIDS status (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.49-11.43) and low CD4 T cell count of index partners at enrollment (OR=7.8, 95% CI: 2.19-27.80). In multivariate analysis HIV-1 RNA levels was significant risk factor when adjusted by CD4 T cell courts and mean sexual contacts per month (OR=19.2, 95% CI: 1.03-357.59) Conclusion: The risk of male to female heterosexual transmission increased with advanced stages of HIV infection in the index male partners.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.154-161
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• 2007

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infections are responsible for a substantial number of deaths annually and represent a significant threat to public health. According to the latest study, the Tat (Transactivator of transcription) protein is essential in transcription and replication of viral genes, and is among the early expression genes involved in the life cycle of HIV. The virion NC (nucleocapsid) plays an important role in early mRNA expression and contributes to the rapid viral replication that occurs during HIV-1 infection. Therefore, we attempted to elucidate the relationship between the Tat protein and nucleocapsid protein. In a comparison of two independently prepared and hybridized samples, flag NC overexpressed HEK 293T cells and pTat overexpressed HEK 293T cells, and hybridization showed the differences in expression in each case. Among the microarray results confirmed with real-time reverse transcriptase assay, twelve genes were identified to be involved according to their gene expression profiles. Of approximately 8,208 human genes that were analyzed, we monitored candidate genes that might have been related to NC and Tat genes from gene expression profiles. Additionally, the pathways could be viewed and analyzed through the use of Pathway Studio software. The pathways from the gene list were built and paths were found among the molecules/cell objects/processes by the curation method.

• BMB Reports
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.359-364
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• 1996

By both in vitro hydroxylamine mutagenesis of the wild type 3-phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK) promoter DNA and insertion of the leu2-d gene, we have created yeast expression vectors potentially useful for production of eukaryotic genes in yeast. The guanine (G) to adenine (A) change at the -3 position from the ATG start codon of the PGK promoter-based vector rendered a 6~7 times elevated expression of the adjacent eukaryotic gene, and insertion of the leu2-d gene in the vector containing the mutated PGK promoter further enhanced the expression of the gene. When expression of the AIDS virus HIV1-gagP17 gene in a lacZ fusion form was examined with this new vector, a 15 times higher level of expression than that from the original PGK promoter was observed. Northern and Southern analysis showed that this elevated expression is due to the production of a high copy number of mRNA by leu2-d gene functioning and by efficient translation of the produced mRNA. Thus, the vector that contained the A at the -3 position from the ATG start codon in the promoter region and the leu2-d gene shows increased expression capability and will be potentially useful for production of eukaryotic genes in yeast.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.290-297
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• 2018

We aimed to understand the molecular changes in host cells that accompany infection by the seasonal influenza A H1N1 virus because the initial response rapidly changes owing to the fact that the virus has a robust initial propagation phase. Human epithelial alveolar A549 cells were infected and total RNA was extracted at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h post infection (h.p.i.). The differentially expressed host genes were clustered into two distinct sets of genes as the infection progressed over time. The patterns of expression were significantly different at the early stages of infection. One of the responses showed roles similar to those associated with the enrichment gene sets to known 'gp120 pathway in HIV.' This gene set contains genes known to play roles in preventing the progress of apoptosis, which infected cells undergo as a response to viral infection. The other gene set showed enrichment of 'Drug Metabolism Enzymes (DMEs).' The identification of two distinct gene sets indicates that the virus regulates the cell's mechanisms to create a favorable environment for its stable replication and protection of gene metabolites within 8 h.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2008

HCV는 HIV등과 함께 수혈이나 혈장된 획물질을 통하여 감염되는 주요 바이러스이다. 주로 혈액이나 혈장에서 HCV에 대한 항체를 검출함으로서 HCV의 감염을 방지하고 있다. 그러나 바이러스에 감염되었으나 항체가 생성되기 이전이나 항체의 양이 적은 경우에는 HCV의 검출이 어렵다. 따라서 핵산중폭시험(nucleic acid amplification tests, NAT)을 이용한 HCV 유전자를 검출하려는 시도들이 진행되고 있다. 이 연구의 목적은 혈장분획물질에서 HCV RNA를 검출할 수 있는 핵산증폭시험 방법을 개발하는 것이다. 5종류의 PCR primer를선별하여 실험에 이용하였다. 혈장분획물질의 HCV RNA 추출에는 컬럼 방법을 이용하는 것이 유용한 것으로나타났다. 핵산중폭시험의 결합 온도는 $48^{\circ}C$가 가장 적절한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 2차 PCR의 경우, 1차 PCR 산물 $1{\mu}l$와 30 pmol의 primer즐 사용하였을 때 높은 민감도와 특이성을 보이는 것을 알 수 있었다. 혈장 분획물질에 HCV를 주입하여 혈장중폭시험을 수행한 결과, 100 IU/ml까지 검출 할 수 있었다. 한편 근육주사용항체(IMIG)의 경우 핵산중폭시험을 통한 검출한계는 100IU/ml로 COBAS amplicor HCV2.0의 500 IU/ml 이상의 검출한계보다 민감도가 더 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과들로 보아 본 실험에 이용된 핵산증폭시험이 혈장분획물질에서 HCV RNA를 검출하는데 유용한 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제35권10호
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• pp.1329-1335
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• 2006

AIDS로의 진행과정은 단순히 몇몇 기작에 의한 것이 아니라 여러 경로를 거쳐 발생하며 그 진행속도도 개개인에 따라 다양하게 나타나고 있다. 본 연구에서는 쥐 AIDS 모델을 이용하여 항산화호르몬으로 알려진 DHEAS의 면역조절 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. DHEAS의 투여는 LP-BM5 retrovirus 감염으로 인한 T와 B 임파구의 mitogenesis를 증가시켰으며 Th1/Th2 type cytokines의 발현에도 영향을 미쳤는데 주로 전사수준에서 작용한 것으로 생각된다/ 또한 retrovirus 감염으로 인한 간조직의 지질과산화 유발을 억제하여 조직 내의 항산화제인 vitamin E의 함량을 유지시킴으로 NF-kB의 활성화를 통한 retrovirus의 복제를 억제시켜 Th1/Th2 type cytokines의 불균형적인 발현을 저해하였을 것으로 여겨진다. 따라서 쥐 AIDS모델에 있어서 DHEAS의 면역조절 효과를 확인한 본 연구는 향후 HIV감염 이후 AIDS로의 진행 과정 시 항산화제의 역할과 기작 규명에 대한 가능성을 제시할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.829-834
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• 2006

HIV 감염 후 AIDS로의 진행과정에서 cytokines의 변화는 필수적인 결과로서 나타나게 된다. 본 연구에서는 AIDS 동물모델을 사용하여 Pyc Cytokines발현에 미치는 영향과 조절 매개체로서 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 관련성 및 작용 기작 확인에 초점을 두었다. LP-BM5 retrovirus에 감염된 C57BL/6 생쥐를 이용하여12주간에 걸친 실험에서Pyc 투여는 Th1과 Th2 cytokines의 혈중농도를 조절하여 murine AIDS로의 진행을 억제하는 데 역할을 하는 것으로 사료된다. 특히 Th2 cytokines의 mRNA 발현을 억제함에 따라 Th1 cytokines의 혈중농도는 상대적으로 증가한 것으로 사료된다. 이러한 결과는 Pyc가 Th2 cytokines을 선택적으로 transcription level에서 조절하고 있음을 의미하고 있다. 또한 Th2 cytokines mRNA 발현 조절은 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 활성화에 의한 것으로 추정된다. 본 연구는 AIDS 동물모델에서 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 조절을 통한 cytokines의 발현 조절의 가능성을 제시함과 동시에 Pyc의 역할에 대해 자료를 제시하고 있다. 또한 향후 murine AIDS 진행 억제제로서의 Pyc의 기작에 대한 일면을 보인 것에 의의를 두고자 한다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.601-606
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• 2017

Cystoisospora is responsible for morbidity in immunocompromised patients. PCR is sensitive for diagnosing Cystoisospora; however, it needs reevaluation for differential molecular diagnosis of cystoisosporiasis. We aimed at evaluating melting curve analysis (MCA) after real-time PCR (qPCR) in diagnosis and genotyping of Cystoisospora as an alternative to conventional PCR. We included 293 diarrheic stool samples of patients attending the Department of Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine of Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt. Samples were subjected to microscopy, nested PCR (nPCR), and qPCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2) of the ribosomal RNA (r RNA) gene followed by melting temperatures ($T_ms$) analysis and comparing the results to PCR-RFLP banding patterns. Using microscopy and ITS2-nPCR, 3.1% and 5.8% of cases were Cystoisospora positive, respectively, while 10.9% were positive using qPCR. Genotyping of Cystoisospora by qPCR-MCA revealed 2 genotypes. These genotypes matched with 2 distinct melting peaks with specified $T_ms$ at $85.8^{\circ}C$ and $88.6^{\circ}C$, which indicated genetic variation among Cystoisospora isolates in Egypt. Genotype II proved to be more prevalent (65.6%). HIV-related Kaposi sarcoma and leukemic patients harbored both genotypes with a tendency to genotype II. Genotype I was more prevalent in lymphomas and mammary gland tumors while colorectal and hepatocellular tumors harbored genotype II suggesting that this genotype might be responsible for the development of cystoisosporiasis in immunocompromised patients. Direct reliable identification and differentiation of Cystoisospora species could be established using $qPCR-T_ms$ analysis which is useful for rapid detection and screening of Cystoisospora genotypes principally in high risk groups.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제34권4호
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• pp.227-235
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• 2024

약물이나 허브 제품으로 인한 간세포 손상은 이러한 화합물을 만성적으로 투여할 때 일어날 수 있는 중요한 문제 중 하나이다. 따라서 여러 가지의 치료 과정 중 간세포 생존율을 향상시키는 것은, 약물 적용에 있어 광범위한 기회를 제공할 수 있다. Valproic acid (VPA)는 자연적으로 발생하는 발레르산에서 파생된 분지형 단사슬 지방산으로 뇌전증과 발작을 치료하는 데 일반적으로 사용된다. 뿐만 아니라 VPA는 암, HIV 치료, 신경 퇴행성 질환에 수많은 효과를 발휘하지만, 간에 대한 VPA의 잠재적인 영향과 그 작용 메커니즘은 완전히 설명되지 않았다. 여기서, 우리는 VPA의 처리가 쥐 간세포(Hepa1c1c7)에서 PPAR 알파(PPAR-α)와 섬유아세포 성장 인자 21(FGF21)의 전사 수준을 증가시킨다는 것을 입증했다. VPA에 의해 유도된 FGF21 발현은 PPAR-α 결손 조건에서 상당히 억제되었다. 후속 실험에서 FGF21 신호 경로가 FGF 수용체 억제제에 의해 차단되었을 때, 간세포 생존력이 크게 억제되었음을 보여주었다. 마지막으로, 우리는 AMPK 인산화가 VPA에 의해 유도된 PPAR-α 증가에 작용하지 않는다는 것을 추가로 확인했다. 이러한 결과는 FGF21 발현의 증가가 VPA에 의해 유도된 간 독성을 완화시킬 수 있다는 것을 제시하며, 이와 같은 결과는 FGF21의 증감 여부가 VPA 치료 중 나타날 수 있는 간 손상을 예측하는 잠재적인 바이오마커로 사용될 수 있음을 제시한다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6457-6461
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• 2015

MicroRNAs directly and indirectly influence many biological processes such as apoptosis, cell maintenance, and immune responses, impacting on tumor genesis and metastasis. They modulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and are associated with progression of liver disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer which mostly occurs in males. There are many factors affect HCC development, for example, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), co-infection, environmental factors including alcohol, aflatoxin consumption and host-related factors such as age, gender immune response, microRNA and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus is the major factor leading to HCC progression since it causes the liver injury. At present, there are many reports regarding the association of SNPs on miRNAs and the HCC progression. In this research, we investigated the role of miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) with HCC progression in Thai population. The study included 289 Thai subjects including 104 HCC patients, 90 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) and 95 healthy control subjects. The allele and genotype of rs2292832 and rs7536540 polymorphisms were determined by TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Our results revealed no significant association between miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) and the risk of HCC in our Thai population. However, this research is the first study of miR-149 (rs2292832) and miR-101-1 (rs7536540) in HCC in Thai populations and the results need to be confirmed with a larger population.