• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.46.1-46.7
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• 2022

Influenza A virus (IAV) is the most widespread pathogen causing human respiratory infections. Although polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods are currently the most commonly used tools for IAV detection, PCR is not ideal for point-of-care testing. In this study, we aimed to develop a more rapid and sensitive method than PCR-based tools to detect IAV using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology. We designed reverse-transcriptional (RT)-LAMP primers targeting the hemagglutinin gene. RNAs from reference H1N1 and H3N2 showed specific RT-LAMP signals with the designed primers. We optimized the reaction conditions and developed universal reaction conditions for both LAMP assays. Under these conditions, the detection limit was 50 copies for both RT-LAMP assays. There was no non-specific signal to 19 non-IAV respiratory viruses, such as influenza B virus, coronaviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses. Regarding the reaction time, a positive signal was detected within 25 min after starting the reaction. In conclusion, our RT-LAMP assay has high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the H1 and H3 subtypes, making it suitable for point-of-care IAV testing.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2023

Compelling evidence has demonstrated the critical role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) during lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Herein, we explored a novel circRNA, circ_0129047, and detailed its mechanism of action. The expression of circ 0129047, microRNA-665 (miR-665), and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type B (PTPRB) in LUAD tissues and cells was determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Cell Counting Kit8 and colony formation assays were conducted to detect LUAD cell proliferation, and western blotting was performed to quantify apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl2 and Bax). Luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to validate the predicted interaction between miR-665 and circ_0129047 or PTPRB. A xenograft assay was used for the in vivo experiments. Circ_0129047 and PTPRB were downregulated in LUAD tissues and cells, whereas miR-665 expression was upregulated. Overexpression of circ_0129047 suppresses LUAD growth in vivo and in vitro. Circ_0129047 is the target of miR-665, and the miR-665 mimic ablated the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic phenotypes of LUAD cells by circ_0129047 augmentation. MiR-665 targets the 3'UTR of PTPRB and downregulates PTPRB expression. PTPRB overexpression offsets the pro-proliferative potential of miR-665 in LUAD cells. Circ_0129047 sequestered miR-665 and upregulated PTPRB expression, thereby reducing LUAD progression, suggesting a promising approach for preventing LUAD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.4095-4099
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• 2014

The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 protein (XRCC1) plays important roles in the DNA base excision repair pathway which may influence the development of lung cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the potential association of the XRCC1 c.1178G>A genetic polymorphism with lung cancer risk. The created restriction site-polymerase chain reaction (CRS-PCR) and DNA sequencing methods were utilized to evaluate the XRCC1 c.1178G>A genetic polymorphism among 376 lung cancer patients and 379 controls. Associations between the genetic polymorphism and lung cancer risk were determined with an unconditional logistic regression model. Our data suggested that the distribution of allele and genotype in lung cancer patients was significantly different from that of controls. The XRCC1 c.1178G>A genetic polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (AA vs GG: OR=2.91, 95%CI 1.70-4.98, p<0.001; A vs G: OR=1.52, 95%CI 1.22-1.90, p<0.001). The allele A and genotype AA may contribute to risk of lung cancer. These preliminary results suggested that the XRCC1 c.1178G>A genetic polymorphism is statistically associated with lung cancer risk in the Chinese population.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.9
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• pp.296-301
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether infants with rhinovirus (RV) infection-induced wheezing and those with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection-induced wheezing have different cytokine profiles in the acute stage. Methods: Of the infants with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) between September 2011 and May 2012, 88 were confirmed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and hospitalized. Systemic interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and Treg-type cytokine (IL-10) responses were examined with multiplex assay using acute phase serum samples. Results: Of the 88 patients, 38 had an RV infection (RV group) and 50 had an RSV infection (RSV group). In the RV group, the $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10 concentrations were higher in the patients with than in the patients without wheezing (P=0.022 and P=0.007, respectively). In the RSV group, the differences in $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10 concentrations did not reach statistical significance between the patients with and the patients without wheezing (P=0.105 and P=0.965, respectively). The $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10 concentrations were not significantly different between the RV group with wheezing and the RSV group with wheezing (P=0.155 and P=0.801, respectively), in contrast to the significant difference between the RV group without wheezing and the RSV group without wheezing (P=0.019 and P=0.035, respectively). Conclusion: In comparison with RSV-induced LRTI, RV-induced LRTI combined with wheezing showed similar $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10 levels, which may have an important regulatory function.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.145-148
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• 2013

Aim: Individual differences in chemosensitivity and clinical outcome of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be induced by host inherited factors. We investigated the impact of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. Methods: A total of 496 were consecutively selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between Jan. 2003 and Nov. 2006, and all patients were followed-up until Nov. 2011. The genotyping of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln was conducted by duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pair primer methods. Results: Individuals with XPD 312 C/T+T/T and XPD 711 C/T+T/T exhibited poor responses to chemotherapy when compared with the wild-type genotype, with adjusted ORs(95% CI) of 0.67(0.38-0.97) and 0.54(0.35-0.96), respectively. Cox regression showed the median PFS and OS of patients of XPD 312 C/T+T/T genotype and XPD 711 C/T+T/T genotype to be significantly lower than those with wild-type homozygous genotype. Conclusion: We found polymorphisms in XPD to be associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC, and our findings provide information for therapeutic decisions for individualized therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.180-186
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• 2018

Purpose: Despite the availability of molecular methods, identification of the causative virus in children with acute respiratory infections (ARIs) has proven difficult as the same viruses are often detected in asymptomatic children. Methods: Multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to detect 15 common respiratory viruses in children under 15 years of age who were hospitalized with ARI between January 2013 and December 2015. Viral epidemiology and clinical profiles of single virus infections were evaluated. Results: Of 3,505 patients, viruses were identified in 2,424 (69.1%), with the assay revealing a single virus in 1,747 cases (49.8%). While major pathogens in single virus-positive cases differed according to age, human rhinovirus (hRV) was common in patients of all ages. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza virus (IF), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) were found to be seasonal pathogens, appearing from fall through winter and spring, whereas hRV and adenovirus (AdV) were detected in every season. Patients with ARIs caused by RSV and hRV were frequently afebrile and more commonly had wheezing compared with patients with other viral ARIs. Neutrophil-dominant inflammation was observed in ARIs caused by IF, AdV, and hRV, whereas lymphocyte-dominant inflammation was observed with RSV A, parainfluenza virus, and hMPV. Monocytosis was common with RSV and AdV, whereas eosinophilia was observed with hRV. Conclusion: In combination with viral identification, recognition of virus-specific clinical and laboratory patterns will expand our understanding of the epidemiology of viral ARIs and help us to establish more efficient therapeutic and preventive strategies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.84 no.3
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• pp.188-199
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• 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease with increased prevalence in the elderly. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosome, which progressively shorten as cells divide. Telomere length is known to be a molecular marker of aging. This study aimed to assess the relationship between telomere length and the risk of COPD, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and emphysema index in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dusty Areas (CODA) cohort. Methods: We extracted DNA from the peripheral blood samples of 446 participants, including 285 COPD patients and 161 control participants. We measured absolute telomere length using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All participants underwent spirometry and quantitative computed tomography scan. Questionnaires assessing respiratory symptoms and the COPD Assessment Test was filled by all the participants. Results: The mean age of participants at the baseline visit was 72.5±7.1 years. Males accounted for 72% (321 participants) of the all participants. The mean telomere length was lower in the COPD group compared to the non-COPD group (COPD, 16.81±13.90 kb; non-COPD, 21.97±14.43 kb). In COPD patients, 112 (75.7%) were distributed as tertile 1 (shortest), 91 (61.1%) as tertile 2 and 82 (55%) as tertile 3 (longest). We did not find significant associations between telomere length and lung function, exacerbation, airway wall thickness, and emphysema index after adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Conclusion: In this study, the relationship between various COPD phenotypes and telomere length was analyzed, but no significant statistical associations were shown.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.56-71
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• 2021

Objectives: This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effects of GGX on lung injury of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD) mice model. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and then treated with vehicle only (Control group), dexamethasone 3 mg/kg (Dexa group), gam-gil-tang 200 mg/kg (GGT group), GGX 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg (GGX group). After sacrifice, its bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lung tissue was analyzed with cytospin, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: In the COPD model, GGX significantly inhibited the increase of neutrophils, TNF-𝛼, IL-17A, CXCL-1, MIP2 in BALF and TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, IL-10 mRNA expression in lung tissue. It also decreased the severity of histological lung injury. Conclusion: This study suggests the usability of GGX for COPD patients by controlling lung tissue injury.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.444-450
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• 2020

Background: In this study, we compared the incidents of humidifier disinfectants and incidents of mild hepatitis in Japan to highlight the differences in government response in the health care field in terms of "chain of responsibility". Methods: We examined whether the three mechanisms of action and the chain of responsibility hypothesis were applied to compare the cases of Korea and Japan. The incident of Japan occurred in 1987 in Misawa city, Aomori prefecture. In the 1990s, the safety of blood products increased dramatically. However, relief for infected victims was neglected. Green Cross did not notify the parties. In Korea, in the spring of 2011, a number of lung disease patients were accidentally admitted to a hospital in Seoul, and a female patient with respiratory failure symptoms expired. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted animal tests and the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued an order for forced collection of humidifier disinfectants. Results: In the case of Japan, the Ministry of Health and Welfare had to take responsibility for follow-up measures such as the investigation of the cause, so it was tied to a "chain of responsibility". However, in the case of Korea, the Ministry of Health and Welfare was free from the chain. Conclusion: Through the comparison between the cases of Japan and Korea, we confirmed that whether or not a government organization chooses to conceal responsibility depends on its past behavior, which is whether it is free from the chain of responsibility or not. Therefore, it was reaffirmed that an organization (ministry or department) free from the chain of responsibility must exist within the government.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.471-475
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• 2009

Purpose : Mitochondrial disorders are a clinical entity characterized by diverse symptoms and signs of involvement of various systems. Furthermore, the disorders are known to show ophthalmologic manifestations as well as neurological findings. Visually evoked potential is a sensitive measure to check the integrity of the visual pathway. In this study, we have investigated the value of visually evoked potential in mitochondrial disorders with respiratory chain defects. Methods : Nineteen patients diagnosed with mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I defect as confirmed by spectrophotometric enzyme assay in muscle samples were enrolled for this study. The patients underwent a visually evoked potential study. We classified the results into four groups and compared these with clinical ophthalmologic findings. Results : Among the 19 patients, 14 showed abnormal visually evoked potential findings. Seven patients showed abnormal clinical ophthalmologic findings. All patients with abnormal ophthalmologic findings showed abnormal visually evoked potential findings. Among the 12 patients with normal ophthalmologic findings, seven showed abnormal results in visually evoked potential. Conclusion : Visually evoked potential study could be used as an effective screening tool for mitochondrial disorders to detect ophthalmologic and neurological abnormalities.