• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제31권12호
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• pp.1709-1715
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• 2021

Outbreaks of food poisoning due to the consumption of norovirus-contaminated shellfish continue to occur. Male-specific (F+) coliphage has been suggested as an indicator of viral species due to the association with animal and human wastes. Here, we compared two methods, the double agar overlay and the quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR)-based method, for evaluating the applicability of F+ coliphage-based detection technique in microbial contamination tracking of shellfish samples. The RT-PCR-based method showed 1.6-39 times higher coliphage PFU values from spiked shellfish samples, in relation to the double agar overlay method. These differences indicated that the RT-PCR-based technique can detect both intact viruses and non-particle-protected viral DNA/RNA, suggesting that the RT-PCR based method could be a more efficient tool for tracking microbial contamination in shellfish. However, the virome information on F+ coliphage-contaminated oyster samples revealed that the high specificity of the RT-PCR- based method has a limitation in microbial contamination tracking due to the genomic diversity of F+ coliphages. Further research on the development of appropriate primer sets for microbial contamination tracking is therefore necessary. This study provides preliminary insight that should be examined in the search for suitable microbial contamination tracking methods to control the sanitation of shellfish and related seawater.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.61-70
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• 2022

Natural and synthetic forms of calcium phosphate cement (CPC) have been widely used in bone repair and augmentation. The major challenge of injectable CPC is to deliver the cells without cell death in order to regenerate new bone. The study objective was to investigate for the potential of stem cell-laden gelatin fibers containing injectable, nanocrystalline CPC to function as a delivery system. Gelatin noddle fiber method was developed to delivered cells into nCPC. Experimental groups were prepared by mixing cells with nCPC, mixing cell-laden gelatin fibers with nCPC and mixing cell-laden gelatin fibers containing BMP-2 with nCPC. Media diffusion test was conducted after dissolving the gelatin fibers. SEM examined the generated channels and delivered cell morphology. Fibers mixed with nCPC showed physical setting and hardening within 20 min after injection and showed good shape maintenances. The gelatin fibers mixed nCPC group had several vacant channels generated from the dissolved gelatin. Particularly, proliferation and attachment of the cells were observed inside of the channels. While live cells were not observed in the cell mixed nCPC group, cells delivered with the gelatin fibers into the nCPC showed good viability and increased DNA content with culture. Cell-laden gelatin fiber was a novel method for cell delivery into nCPC without cell damages. Results also indicated the osteogenic differentiation of gelatin fiber delivered cells. We suggest that the cell-laden gelatin fibers mixed with nCPC can be used as an injectable cell delivery vehicle and the addition of BMP-2 to enhances osteogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.593-602
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• 2022

The human papillomavirus (HPV)-18 E7 (E7) oncoprotein is a major transforming protein that is thought to be involved in the development of cervical cancer. It is well-known that E7 stimulates tumour development by inactivating pRb. However, this alone cannot explain the various characteristics acquired by HPV infection. Therefore, we examined other molecules that could help explain the acquired cancer properties during E7-induced cancer development. Using the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) method, we found that the Elk-1 factor, which is crucial for cell proliferation, invasion, cell survival, anti-apoptotic activity, and cancer development, binds to the E7. By determining which part of E7 binds to which domain of Elk-1 using the Y2H method, it was found that CR2 and CR3 of the E7 and parts 1-206, including the ETS-DNA domain of Elk-1, interact with each other. As a result of their interaction, the transcriptional activity of Elk-1 was increased, thereby increasing the expression of target genes EGR-1, c-fos, and E2F. Additionally, the colony forming assay revealed that overexpression of Elk-1 and E7 promotes C33A cell proliferation. We expect that the discovery of a novel E7 function as an Elk-1 activator could help explain whether the E7 has novel oncogenic activities in addition to p53 inactivation. We also expect that it will offer new methods for developing improved strategies for cervical cancer treatment.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.30.1-30.9
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• 2022

Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a not common inherited neurological disorder with heterogeneous clinical expressions. ALDH18A1 (located on 10q24.1) gene-related spastic paraplegias (SPG9A and SPG9B) are rare metabolic disorders caused by dominant and recessive mutations that have been found recently. Autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia is a common and clinical type of familial spastic paraplegia linked to the SPG11 locus (locates on 15q21.1). There are different symptoms of spastic paraplegia, such as muscle atrophy, moderate mental retardation, short stature, balance problem, and lower limb weakness. Our first proband involves a 45 years old man and our second proband involves a 20 years old woman both are affected by spastic paraplegia disease. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of the patients, their parents, and their siblings using a filter-based methodology and quantified and used for molecular analysis and sequencing. Sequencing libraries were generated using Agilent SureSelect Human All ExonV7 kit, and the qualified libraries are fed into NovaSeq 6000 Illumina sequencers. Sanger sequencing was performed by an ABI prism 3730 sequencer. Here, for the first time, we report two cases, the first one which contains likely pathogenic NM_002860: c.475C>T: p.R159X mutation of the ALDH18A1 and the second one has likely pathogenic NM_001160227.2: c.5454dupA: p.Glu1819Argfs Ter11 mutation of the SPG11 gene and also was identified by the whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Our aim with this study was to confirm that these two novel variants are direct causes of spastic paraplegia.

• 대한종양외과학회지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.80-86
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• 2013

Purpose: Hypermethylation of human mut L homologue 1 (hMLH1) promoter region is known to cause sporadic microsatellite instability (MSI) colorectal cancers. 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the key enzyme in folate metabolism, acting as a methyl donor for DNA methylation. In this study, we investigate whether the polymorphism of MTHFR 677C>T plays a role in the alteration of the promoter-specific hypermethylation, predisposing to MSI colorectal cancers. Methods: Total of 487 sporadic colorectal cancer patients in CHA Bundang Medical Center were collected. MSI was identified when two or more are positive among five microsatellite markers (BAT25, BAT26, D17S250, D5S346, D2S123). The others were classified as microsatellite stable (MSS). Polymorphism of MTHFR 677C>T was genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: MSI was observed in 65 of 487 patients (12.73%). MSI colorectal cancers showed similar clinicopathological features with previously reported; younger age onset, right-sided preponderance, mucinous and poorly differentiated histology, lower stage, fewer lymph node metastases than MSS tumors (each P<0.05). The frequency of MTHFR 677TT genotype was 17.7% in the MSI group higher than 14.6% in the MSS group (P=0.17). Although not statistically significant, compared to the MTHFR 677CC referent, MTHFR 677 CT+TT genotype was more likely to have MSI than MSS (odds ratio, 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.94 to 3.68; P=0.06). Conclusion: This study demonstrated higher frequency of MTHFR 677TT genotype in MSI colorectal cancers. Furthermore, individuals with MTHFR 677CT+TT variant type might potentially develop MSI rather than MSS colorectal cancers.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.344-354
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Although antibiotics have contributed to treatment of bacterial infection, the antibiotic abuse can lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria. Impact of human activities on distribution of antibiotic resistance has been intensively issued and occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in contaminated environments would not be a surprise. Nonetheless, anthropogenic contamination with the dissemination of antibiotic resistance along uncontaminated environments has been less considered. The aim of this study is to investigate antibiotic resistant bacteria across Ulleungdo, known as antibiotic resistance free and anthropogenic pollution free environment in Rep. of Korea. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antibiotic resistant bacteria in coastal seawater of Ulleungdo were investigated in July 2021. Antibiotic susceptibility test using the disk diffusion method was applied with six drugs according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guideline. Total 43 bacterial isolates were tested and 20 isolates among of them showed multidrug resistance. Particularly, the number and ratio of resistant bacteria were relatively high in a densely populated area of Ulleungdo. The bacterial communities were investigated using 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach in the coastal seawater and soils of Ulleungdo. In the bacterial communities, Firmicutes were selectively distributed only in seawater, suggesting the possibility of anthropogenic contamination in coastal seawater of Ulleungdo. CONCLUSION(S): We found antibiotic resistant bacteria in a populated area of Ulleungdo. The occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in Ulleungdo seems to result from the recent anthropogenic impact. Consistent monitoring of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the uncontaminated environment needs to considered for future risk assessment of antibiotics.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.404-413
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• 2007

This study was carried out to compare UCP2 polymorphism, dietary habits, and obesity index in normal and obese university students. The survey was carried out using self-questionnaires collected from the 126 normal and 60 obese university students. The results are summarized as follows. Breakfast was skipped in 43.7% of normal and 49.3% of obesity students and it appeared obese students eat faster than normal students. The percentage of weight control experience were 49.2 and 71.0 in the normal and obese students, respectively. Blood levels of lipid profiles(triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), hemoglobin, AST and ALT were anaylzed. In UCP2 genes, the frequency of deletion homozygote(DD) was 71.5%, heterozygote(DI) was 26.9% and insertion homozygote(II) was 1.6%. Plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol of normal students were 79.06, 172.25, 100.86 and 57.03 mg/dl, and those of obese students were 93.06, 173.22, 101.22 and 54.39 mg/dl, respectively. Blood parameters were in normal range in both group. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels of obese students were higher than those of normal students. On the other hand, plasma HDL cholesterol levels of obese students were lower than those of normal students. Plasma levels of AST and ALT were in normal range in both group. However, AST and ALT levels of obese students were higher than that of normal students. Thus, it was recommended for them to have a nutritional education program to improve their dietary and living habits for obese students’health. Nutritional education program should also be organized practically and systematically.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.42.1-42.23
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• 2023

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis, one of the most deadly infections in humans. The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mtb strains presents a global challenge. Mtb has shown resistance to many frontline antibiotics, including rifampicin, kanamycin, isoniazid, and capreomycin. The only licensed vaccine, Bacille Calmette-Guerin, does not efficiently protect against adult pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to develop new vaccines to prevent infections caused by these strains. We used a subtractive proteomics approach on 23 virulent Mtb strains and identified a conserved membrane protein (MmpL4, NP_214964.1) as both a potential drug target and vaccine candidate. MmpL4 is a non-homologous essential protein in the host and is involved in the pathogen-specific pathway. Furthermore, MmpL4 shows no homology with anti-targets and has limited homology to human gut microflora, potentially reducing the likelihood of adverse effects and cross-reactivity if therapeutics specific to this protein are developed. Subsequently, we constructed a highly soluble, safe, antigenic, and stable multi-subunit vaccine from the MmpL4 protein using immunoinformatics. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the stability of the vaccine-bound Tolllike receptor-4 complex on a nanosecond scale, and immune simulations indicated strong primary and secondary immune responses in the host. Therefore, our study identifies a new target that could expedite the design of effective therapeutics, and the designed vaccine should be validated. Future directions include an extensive molecular interaction analysis, in silico cloning, wet-lab experiments, and evaluation and comparison of the designed candidate as both a DNA vaccine and protein vaccine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2024

This study aims to explore possible effect of RNA polymerase I subunit D (POLR1D) on proliferation and angiogenesis ability of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and mechanism herein. The correlation of POLR1D and Yin Yang 1 (YY1) expressions with prognosis of CRC patients in TCGA database was analyzed. Quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were applied to detect expression levels of POLR1D and YY1 in CRC cell lines and CRC tissues. SW480 and HT-29 cells were transfected with si-POLR1D or pcDNA3.1-POLR1D to achieve POLR1D suppression or overexpression before cell migration, angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were assessed. Western blot was used to detect expressions of p38 MAPK signal pathway related proteins and interaction of YY1 with POLR1D was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). TCGA data showed that both POLR1D and YY1 expressions were up-regulated in CRC patients. High expression of POLR1D was associated with poor prognosis of CRC patients. The results showed that POLR1D and YY1 were highly expressed in CRC cell lines. Inhibition or overexpression of POLR1D can respectively suppress or enhance proliferation and angiogenesis of CRC cells. YY1 inhibition can suppress CRC progression and deactivate p38 MAPK signal pathway, which can be counteracted by POLR1D overexpression. JASPAR predicted YY1 can bind with POLR1D promoter, which was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay and ChIP. YY1 transcription can up-regulate POLR1D expression to activate p38 MAPK signal pathway, thus promoting proliferation and angiogenesis ability of CRC cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.323-332
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• 2024

Background: Studies have reported that the combination of two or more therapeutic compounds at certain ratios has more noticeable pharmaceutical properties than single compounds and requires reduced dosage of each agent. Red ginseng and velvet antler have been extensively used in boosting immunity and physical strength and preventing diseases. Thus, this study was conducted to elucidate the skin-protective potentials of red ginseng extract (RGE) and velvet antler extract (VAE) alone or in combination on ultraviolet (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocytes and SKH-1 hairless mice. Methods: HaCaT cells were preincubated with RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 2 h before UVB (30 mJ/cm²) irradiation. SKH-1 mice were orally given RGE/VAE alone or in combination for 15 days before exposure to single dose of UVB (600 mJ/cm²). Treated cells and treated skin tissues were collected and subjected to subsequent experiments. Results: RGE/VAE pretreatment alone or in combination significantly prevented UVB-induced cell death, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA damage in keratinocytes and SKH-1 mouse skins by downregulating mitogen-activated protein kinases/activator protein 1/nuclear factor kappa B and caspase signaling pathways. These extracts also strengthened the antioxidant defense systems and skin barriers in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells and SKH-1 mouse skins. Furthermore, RGE/VAE co-administration appeared to be more effective in preventing UVB-caused skin injury than these extracts used alone. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that the consumption of RGE/VAE, especially in combination, offers a protective ability against UVB-caused skin injury by preventing inflammation and apoptosis and enhancing antioxidant capacity.