• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.73-79
• /
• 2021

Bisphenol A is a representative endocrine disruptor and continuously detected in aquatic environment due to wide use, resulting in adverse effects on growth, development, and reproduction in diverse organisms as well as human. Structural analogs have been developed to substitute BPA are also suspected to have endocrine disrupting effects. In the present study, the time-dependent expression patterns of ecdysteroid synthesis (nvd, cyp314a1), receptors (EcRA, EcRB, USP, ERR), and downstream signaling pathway - related genes (HR3, E75, Vtg, VtgR) were investigated using quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis exposed to Bisphenol analogs (BPs; BPA, BPF, and BPS) for 6, 12, and 24 h. As results, the expression of nvd, cyp314a1, EcRs, USP, ERR and E75 mRNA was upregulated at 6 h exposure to BPF, which is earlier than BPA and BPS (12 h). On the other hand, HR3, E75 and VtgR mRNA levels were elevated at 6 h earlier at BPS and BPF than at BPA (12 h), but Vtg mRNA level was slightly changed within 24 h. These findings suggest that like BPA, BPF and BPS can also modulate the transcription of ecdysteroid pathway - related genes with different mechanisms, and have a potential as endocrine disruptors. This study will provide a better understanding the molecular mode of action of bisphenols on ecdysteroid pathway in the brackish water flea.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.46-53
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Enterovirus (EV) infection in children can manifest various diseases from asymptomatic infection to nonspecific febrile illness, hand-foot-mouth disease, and aseptic meningitis. This study was aimed to investigate epidemiology and clinical significance of various genotypes of EV infections in pediatric inpatient. Methods: We collected the stool samples from the admitted pediatric patients in Inha University Hospital from March 2014 to March 2015. EV detection and genotype identification were performed by real-time RT-PCR and semi-nested RT-PCR. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by neighbor joining method. Results: A total of 400 samples were collected during study period and 112 patients (28%) were diagnosed with EV infections. The mean age of EV positive patients was 2.66 years (0.1-14) and sex ratio was 1.73:1. Genetic sequences of EVs were identified; coxsackievirus B5 (17, 15.2%), coxsackievirus A16 (13, 11.6%), enterovirus 71 (10, 8.9%), and coxsackievirus A2 (9, 8.0%). Nonspecific febrile illness (96, 86%) was the most common clinical manifestation and the duration of fever was 0-11 days (mean 3.1 days). Rash (44, 39%) and meningitis (43, 38%) were followed. Patients who were attending daycare center or had siblings accounted for 82.1%. Phylogenetic relationship tree revealed 6 distinct genogroups among 56 types of EVs. Conclusions: This study is the report of epidemiology, serotype distribution and clinical manifestations of children with EV infection in Incheon. This data will be helpful for further study about the epidemiology of EV infection in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2017

The objective of the present study was to determine the expression of genes associated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced stressor in two breeds of chickens: the Korean native chicken (KNC) and the White Leghorn chicken (WLH). Forty chickens per breed, aged 40 weeks, were randomly allotted to the control (CON, administered the saline vehicle) and LPS-injected stress groups. Samples were collected at 0 and 48 h post-LPS injection, and total RNA was extracted from the chicken livers for RNA microarray and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses. In response to LPS, 1,044 and 1,193 genes were upregulated, and 1,000 and 1,072 genes were downregulated in the KNC and WLH, respectively, using a ${\geq}2$-fold cutoff change. A functional network analysis revealed that stress-related genes were downregulated in both KNC and WLH after LPS infection. The results obtained from the qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression of heat shock 90 (HSP90), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) were confirmed by the results of the microarray analysis. There was a significant difference in the expression of stress-associated genes between the control and LPS-injected KNC and WLH groups. The qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the stress-related $HSP90{\alpha}$ and HMGCR genes were downregulated in both LPS-injected KNC and WLH groups. However, the HSP70 and $HSP90{\beta}$ genes were upregulated only in the LPS-injected KNC group. The results suggest that the mRNA expression of stress-related genes is differentially affected by LPS stimulation, and some of the responses varied with the chicken breed. A better understanding of the LPS-induced infective stressors in chicken using the qRT-PCR and RNA microarray analyses may contribute to improving animal welfare and husbandry practices.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.7-21
• /
• 2019

The genus Heterocapsa is one of the major dinoflagellate groups, with some of its species having worldwide distributions. However, prior to the present study, the phototrophic species Heterocapsa minima has been reported only from the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Recently, H. minima was found in the Korean waters, and a clonal culture was established. This culture was used to examine the morphology of the Korean strain H. minima HMMJ1604 through light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as for its genetic characterization. Furthermore, to determine the nationwide distribution of H. minima in Korea, its abundance was quantified in the waters of 28 stations in all four seasons in 2016-2018 using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The overall morphology of H. minima HMMJ1604 was very similar to that of the Irish strain H. minima JK2. However, the Korean strain had five pores around the pore plate, whereas the Irish strain had six pores. When properly aligned, the sequences of the large subunit and internal transcribed spacer regions of the ribosomal DNA of the Korean strain were identical to those of the Irish strain. This species was detected in the waters of 26 out of 28 stations, but its abundance was greater than $1.0cells\;mL^{-1}$ at 8 stations. The highest abundance of H. minima was $44.4cells\;mL^{-1}$. Although this species was found in all seasons, its abundance was greater than $1.0cells\;mL^{-1}$ when the water temperature and salinity were $10.9-25.0^{\circ}C$ and 17.5-34.1, respectively. To the best knowledge, the present study reported for the first time that H. minima lives in the Pacific Ocean and is widely distributed in the Korean waters.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2022

Sea cucumber, Aposticopus japonicus, is a major invertebrate species in the coastal regions of Korea. To evaluate the short-term stress levels according to the releasing methods, this study investigated the gene expression profiles of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. When the juvenile sea cucumbers were packed in the vinyl bag with oxygen followed by transportation for 30 min or air-exposed for 1 h, the HSP90 gene expression levels in the experimental groups were significantly increased compared to those of the control groups (transported group, p=0.001; air-exposed group, p=0.032). The experimental group at 6 h post-release by seed-spreading method and at 2~6 h post-release by underwater hose-releasing method on board a fishing boat showed that the levels of HSP90 gene expression were not statistically significant but decreased slightly compared to the control group (seed-spreading group, p=0.069; hose-releasing group, p=0.093). On the other hand, the HSP90 gene expression showed an increasing pattern as the time passed (~6 h) after underwater release of juvenile sea cucumbers by divers (p=0.061). These results suggest that HSP90 gene expression can be used to investigate short-term stress response and effective releasing methods of juvenile sea cucumbers.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.182-192
• /
• 2011

Purpose : Atopic findings may be associated with severity of pneumonia in 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) infection, which could suggest a possible association between atopic findings and the severity of viral infections. Thus, we studied association between atopic findings and severity of disease in children with H1N1 influenza infection. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in 74 children admitted in a single tertiary institute and confirmed as H1N1 patients by reverse transcriptase (RT) - polymerase chain reaction (PCR). They were divided into 2 groups according to the severity of pneumonia. We evaluated whether the atopic finding is risk factor between the two groups. Results : Children with severe pneumonia had higher percentages of serum eosinophilia (88% vs 40%, P <0.001), asthma (65% vs 35%, P =0.011), allergic rhinitis (71% vs 40%, P =0.009), and IgE level (P =0.007). We found positive correlations between aeroallergen sensitizations and severity of pneumonia (82% vs 53%, P =0.007). Conclusion : Among patients with H1N1 pneumonia, asthma and atopic findings are risk factors for severity of pneumonia.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.660-664
• /
• 2006

The relationship between H. pylori clarithromycin resistance and genetic pattern distribution has been differently explained from different geographic areas. Therefore, we aimed to assess the clarithromycin resistance rate, to evaluate the bacterial genetic pattern, and to search for a possible association between clarithromycin resistance and cagA or vacA genes. This prospective study enrolled 62 consecutive H. pylori infected patients. The infection was established by histology and rapid urease test. Clarithromycin resistance, cagA and vacA status, including s/m subtypes, were assessed on paraffin-embedded antral biopsy specimens by TaqMan real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primary clarithromycin resistance was detected in 24.1 % of cases. The prevalence of cagA was 69.3%, and a single vacA mosaicism was observed in 95.1 % cases. In detail, the s1m1 was observed in 23 (38.9%) patients, the s1m2 in 22 (37.2%), and the s2m2 in 14 (23.7%), whereas the s2m1 combination was never found. The prevalence of cagA and the vacA alleles distribution did not significantly differ between susceptible and resistant strains. Primary clarithromycin resistance is high in our area. The s1m1 and s1m2 are the most frequent vacA mosaicisms. There is no a relationship between clarithromycin resistance and bacterial genotypic pattern and/or cagA positivity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.3761-3768
• /
• 2013

Background: The Saudi population has experienced a sharp increase in colorectal and gastric cancer incidences within the last few years. The relationship between gene polymorphisms of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence has not previously investigated among the Saudi population. The aim of the present study was to investigate contributions of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, and GSTM1 gene polymorphisms. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from CRC patients and healthy controls and genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. Results and Conclusions: $CYP2E1^*6$ was not significantly associated with CRC development (odd ratio=1.29; confidence interval 0.68-2.45). A remarkable and statistically significant association was observed among patients with $CYP1Awt/^*2A$ (odd ratio=3.65; 95% confidence interval 1.39-9.57). The $GSTM1^*0/^*0$ genotype was found in 2% of CRC patients under investigation. The levels of CYP1A1, CYP2E1 and GSTM1 mRNA gene expression were found to be 4, 4.2 and 4.8 fold, respectively, by quantitative real time PCR. The results of the present case-control study show that the studied Saudi population resembles Caucasians with respect to the considered polymorphisms. Investigation of genetic risk factors and susceptibility gene polymorphisms in our Saudi population should be helpful for better understanding of CRC etiology.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.780-793
• /
• 2018

This study was conducted to compare the anti-allergic effects of a whey protein concentrate (WPC) and WPC hydrolysate. WPC hydrolysate was prepared using enzymatic digestion for 8 h with trypsin and ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin, after which it was freeze-dried. The allergic parameters assessed in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells were degranulation and release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase, release of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and changes in the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-4, and IL-10 by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). During preparation of the WPC hydrolysate, hydrolysis increased rapidly from 0 to 10 min and then gradually increased slowly from 1 h onwards, achieving a final degree of hydrolysis of 78.50%. The SDS-PAGE analysis revealed a reduction in the intensity of several protein bands in the WPC hydrolysate compared to the WPC. IgE-induced ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells was decreased to a higher degree following treatment with the hydrolysate compared to WPC treatment. W500 ($500{\mu}g/mL$ WPC) showed the least inhibition of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release, but there was no significant difference between W500 and W1000 ($1,000{\mu}g/mL$) (p<0.05). H1000 ($1,000{\mu}g/mL$ WPC hydrolysate) inhibited ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release by 39%. Compared to the control, treatment with H1000 decreased $TNF-{\alpha}$ secretion to 11.87 pg/mL. The gene expression levels of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-4, and IL-13 were all significantly decreased in hydrolysate (p<0.05). In the case of $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-4, the expression levels in W1000 treated cells were decreased by 73.67% and 65%, respectively, and that of IL-13 was decreased by 66.43% compared to the control.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.419-427
• /
• 2016

There is a high association of heat shock on the alteration of energy and lipid metabolism. The alterations associated with thermal stress are composed of gene expression changes and adaptation through biochemical responses. Previous study showed that Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract promoted adipogenic differentiation in murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes under the normal temperature condition. However, its effect in heat shocked 3T3-L1 cells has not been established. In this study, we investigated the effect of AGN root hot water extract in the adipogenic differentiation of murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes following heat shock and its possible mechanism of action. Thermal stress procedure was executed within the same stage of preadipocyte confluence (G0) through incubation at $42^{\circ}C$ for one hour and then allowed to recover at normal incubation temperature of $37^{\circ}C$ for another hour before AGN treatment for both cell viability assay and Oil Red O. Cell viability assay showed that AGN was able to dose dependently (0 to $400{\mu}g/mL$) increase cell proliferation under normal incubation temperature and also was able to prevent cytotoxicity due to heat shock accompanied by cell proliferation. Confluent preadipocytes were subjected into heat shock procedure, recovery and then AGN treatment prior to stimulation with the differentiation solution. Heat shocked preadipocytes exhibited reduced differentiation as supported by decreased amount of lipid accumulation in Oil Red O staining and triglyceride measurement. However, those heat shocked preadipocytes that then were given AGN extract showed a dose dependent increase in lipid accumulation as shown by both evaluation procedures. In line with these results, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis showed that AGN increased adipogenic differentiation by upregulating heat shock protection related genes and proteins together with the adipogenic markers. These findings imply the potential of AGN in heat shock amelioration among 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through heat shock factor and proteins augmentation and enhanced adipogenic marker expression.