• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.172-177
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• 2023

BEST family is a class of Ca²⁺-activated Cl- channels evolutionary well conserved from bacteria to human. The human BEST paralogs (BEST1-BEST4) share significant amino acid sequence homology in the N-terminal region, which forms the transmembrane helicases and contains the direct calcium-binding site, Ca²⁺-clasp. But the cytosolic C-terminal region is less conserved in the paralogs. Interestingly, this domain-specific sequence conservation is also found in the BEST1 orthologs. However, the functional role of the C-terminal region in the BEST channels is still poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to understand the functional role of the C-terminal region in the human and mouse BEST1 channels by using electrophysiological recordings. We found that the calcium-dependent activation of BEST1 channels can be modulated by the C-terminal region. The C-terminal deletion hBEST1 reduced the Ca²⁺-dependent current activation and the hBEST1-mBEST1 chimera showed a significantly reduced calcium sensitivity to hBEST1 in the HEK293 cells. And the C-terminal domain could regulate cellular expression and plasma membrane targeting of BEST1 channels. Our results can provide a basis for understanding the C-terminal roles in the structure-function of BEST family proteins.

• Journal of Plant Biology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 1994

The tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) mutant diageotropica (dgt) lacking normal gravitropic response is known to be less sensitive to auxin compared with its isogenic parent VFN8. Straight growth as well as ethylene production in response to added auxin in hypocotyl segments of dgt was negligible. However, there was no significant difference between the two genotypes in auxin transport in petiole segments and its inhibition by the phytotropin N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid(NPA). Kinetic parameters of NPA binding to microsomal membranes were also non-distinguishable between the two. Its petiolar explants treated with ethylene developed epinastic curvature with the magnitude of response increased about 3 folds over non-mutant wild type. Ethylene-induced epinasty in both dgt and VFN8 was nullified by treatment of explants with the ethylene autagonist 2,5-norbonadiene. Lateral transport of 3H-IAA toward the upper side of ethylene-treated petioles in dgt, however, was not significantly more pronounced than in VFN8, the implications being that auxin sensitivity in the mutant was restored, or even rised above the wild type, by ethylene.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.698-705
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• 2023

Rapid diagnosis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is essential for guiding clinical treatment and preventing the spread of MRSA infections. Herein, we present a simple and rapid MRSA screening test based on the aggregation effect of mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNP), called the MRSA probe. Recombinant MBL protein is a member of the lectin family and part of the innate immune system. It can recognize wall teichoic acid (WTA) on the membrane of MRSA more specifically than that of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) under optimized salt conditions. Thus, the MRSA probe can selectively bind to MRSA, and the aggregation of the probes on the surface of the target bacteria can be detected and analyzed by the naked eye within 5 min. To demonstrate the suitability of the method for real-world application, we tested 40 clinical S. aureus isolates (including 20 MRSA specimens) and recorded a sensitivity of 100%. In conclusion, the MRSA probe-based screening test with its excellent sensitivity has the potential for successful application in the microbiology laboratory.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.598-614
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• 2022

While ultrasound (US) is considered an important tool for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance, it has limited sensitivity for detecting early-stage HCC. Abbreviated MRI (AMRI) has recently gained popularity owing to better sensitivity in its detection of early-stage HCC than US, while also minimizing the time and cost in comparison to complete contrast-enhanced MRI, as AMRI includes only a few essential sequences tailored for detecting HCC. Currently, three AMRI protocols exist, namely gadoxetic acid-enhanced hepatobiliary-phase AMRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced AMRI, and non-enhanced AMRI. In this study, we discussed the rationale and technical details of AMRI techniques for achieving optimal surveillance performance. The strengths, weaknesses, and current issues of each AMRI protocol were also elucidated. Moreover, we scrutinized previously performed AMRI studies regarding clinical and technical factors. Reporting and recall strategies were discussed while considering the differences in AMRI protocols. A risk-stratified approach for the target population should be taken to maximize the benefits of AMRI and the cost-effectiveness should be considered. In the era of multiple HCC surveillance tools, patients need to be fully informed about their choices for better adherence to a surveillance program.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.103-115
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• 1998

Adhesion of composite resin to tooth structure has been of tremendous signgicance in clinical dentistry. Due to the lack of adhesion between composite restorative resins and enamel and dentin, microleakage occurs at the tooth/restoration interface. This may lead to discoloration, secondary caries, marginal breakdown, postoperative sensitivity, and even pulpal pathology. According to extensive use of composite resin, every effort on improving bonding strength and reducing microleakage between a tooth and composite resin has been continued. This study was conducted to determine the difference in microleakage in enamel and dentin treated with air-abrasion, acid etching and combination when restored with composite resin. Class V cavities were prepared on 30 premolars. The specimens were divided into following groups. group 1:air-abrasion+Scotchbond Multi-purpose group 4 :air-abrasion+All-Bond 2 group 2:acid etching+Scotchbond Multi-purpose group 5 :acid etching+All-Bond 2 group 3:combination+Scotchbond Multi-purpose group 6 :combination+All-Bond 2 #combination:air-abrasion + acid etching The specimens were filled with Z-100 after application of Scotchbond Multi-purpose and All-Bond 2. Thermocycling was conducted by alternately dipping the specimens in $5^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$ water for 30 seconds 500 times. 1% methylene blue was applied and the specimens were left for 24 hours at $37^{\circ}C$. After washing out the dye, the tooth was sectioned buccolingually along the axis. The sectioned surface was observed with stereoscope for dye penetration. The author has measured the microleakage in teeth prepared with air-abrasion, acid ethching and combination to study the difference in microleakage following different methods of tooth surface treatment and has come to following results. 1. In comparing microleakage between groups, group 1 and 4 showed statistically significant difference from group 2, 3, 5 and 6(p<0.05). There was no significant difference among group 2, 3, 5, 6(p>0.05) nor between group 1 and 4(p>0.05). 2. In comparing microleakage among tooth surface treatment methods, Air-abrasion group showed significantly more microleakage than acid etching group and combination(airabrasion + acid etching) group(p<0.05). Combination(acid etching+air-abrasion)group tended to show lesser microleakage than acid etching group, but this was not statistically significant(p>0.05). 3. In comparing microleakage between bonding agents, there was no statistically significant difference between Scotch bond Multi-purpose and All-Bond 2(p>0.05).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2019

This study compared the utility of the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio with that of uric acid as a risk predictor of metabolic syndrome. From November 2016 to October 2018, 14,190 adult men under the age of 20 years, who underwent a comprehensive health checkup at a general hospital in their metropolitan area, were included. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the American Heart Association/National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI) criteria. Abdominal obesity was based on the WHO criteria in the Western Pacific region. The serum uric acid/creatinine ratio was found to be higher in the fourth quartile than in the first quartile, with a high incidence of metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome components. On the other hand, ROC analysis revealed the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio to be a similar indicator of the metabolic syndrome risk to serum uric acid (AUC, 0.554 vs 0.566). The serum uric acid/creatinine ratio showed lower sensitivity and higher specificity than uric acid. In conclusion, the utility of the serum uric acid/creatinine ratio as an independent indicator to predict the risk of metabolic syndrome is limited, and should be used only as an auxiliary marker.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2004

Background 'For many years, the Papanicolaou smear has been used to detect pre-malignant and malignant disease of the cervix. Although cervical cytology screening programmes have result in the reduction of cervical cancer incidence and mortality, Pap smear have been subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism in recent years. So cervicography is introduced. Cervicography is an adjunct method of cervical cancer screening intended to complement Papanicolaou smear. Cervicography involve obtaining and evaluating a photographic image of the cervix. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of Papanicolaou smear and cervicography in cervical cancer screening. Materials & Methods : This study population was of 74 women, who visited department of obstetrics & Gynecology, Korea association of Health Promotion Chung-nam branch from January, 20O2 to October, 2003. All patients were taken Pap smear before cervicography, and then two cervicography was obtained with applying5% acetic acid. Those women in whom abnormalities were detected by either test subsequently obtained histologic specimen. Results : 1. The sensitivity and the specificity of Papanicolaou smear was 92.1% and 72.7%respectively.2. The sensitivity and the specificity of cervicography was 88.9% and 54.5% respectively. The false negative rate, and false positive rate of Papanicolaou smear were 7.9%, 27.2% respectively. The false negative rate, and false positive rate of cervicography were 11.1%,45.5% respectively. Conclusions . Papanicolaou smear is a useful method and an important tool for detecting cervical cancer. However when Papanicolaou smear and Cervicograpy is used together, the sensitivity is higher than for Papanicolaou smear used alone.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2015

Patterning of the polar axis during the early leaf developmental stage is established by cell-to-cell communication between the shoot apical meristem (SAM) and the leaf primordia. In a previous study, we showed that the DRL1 gene, which encodes a homolog of the Elongator-associated protein KTI12 of yeast, acts as a positive regulator of adaxial leaf patterning and shoot meristem activity. To determine the evolutionally conserved functions of DRL1, we performed a comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of DRL1 and its yeast homolog, KTI12, and found that while overall homology was low, well-conserved domains were presented. DRL1 contained two conserved plant-specific domains. Expression of the DRL1 gene in a yeast KTI12-deficient yeast mutant suppressed the growth retardation phenotype, but did not rescue the caffeine sensitivity, indicating that the role of Arabidopsis Elongator-associated protein is partially conserved with yeast KTI12, but may have changed between yeast and plants in response to caffeine during the course of evolution. In addition, elevated expression of DRL1 gene triggered zymocin sensitivity, while overexpression of KTI12 maintained zymocin resistance, indicating that the function of Arabidopsis DRL1 may not overlap with yeast KTI12 with regards to toxin sensitivity. In this study, expression analysis showed that class-I KNOX genes were downregulated in the shoot apex, and that YAB and KAN were upregulated in leaves of the Arabidopsis drl1- 101 mutant. Our results provide insight into the communication network between the SAM and leaf primordia required for the establishment of leaf polarity by mediating histone acetylation or through other mechanisms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the effects of exercise intervention on blood glucose control in obese type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: The PubMed and KERISS search engines were used and 61 papers that met the key questions were selected. RESULTS: Exercise is an effective intervention for the control of blood glucose in type 2 diabetic patients because it does not impair glucose transport in the skeletal muscle induced by muscle contractions. Insulin resistance, which is characteristic of type 2 diabetes, is caused by decreased insulin sensitivity or insulin responsiveness. Acute exercise improves the glucose metabolism by increasing the insulin-independent signaling pathways and insulin sensitivity in the skeletal muscle, and regular long-term exercise improves the skeletal muscle insulin responsiveness and systemic glucose metabolism by increasing the mitochondrial and GLUT4 protein expression in the skeletal muscle. CONCLUSION: The improvement of the glucose metabolism through exercise shows a dose-response pattern, and if exercise consumes the same number of calories, high intensity exercise will be more effective for the glucose metabolism. On the other hand, it is practically difficult for a patient with obese type 2 diabetes to control their blood glucose with high intensity or long-term exercise. Therefore, it will be necessary to study safe adjuvants (cinnamic acid, lithium) that can produce similar effects to high-intensity and high-volume exercises in low-intensity and low-volume exercises.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2009

With the increasing number of automobiles, the problem of air pollution from the exhaust gases of automobiles has become a critical issue. The principal gases that cause air pollution are nitrogen oxide or NO$_x$(NO and NO$_2$), and CO. Because NO$_x$ gases cause acid rain and global warming and produce ozone(O$_3$) that leads to serious metropolitan smog from photochemical reaction, they must be detected and reduced. Mixtures of WO$_3$ and $In_2O_3$(WO$_3$:$In_2O_3$=10:0, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7, and 0:10 in wt.%), which are NO$_x$ gas-sensing materials, were prepared, and thick-film gas sensors that included a heater and a temperature sensor were fabricated. Their sensitivity to NO$_x$ was measured at 250$\sim$400$^{\circ}C$ for NO$_x$ concentrations of 1$\sim$5 ppm. The $In_2O_3$ thick-film sensor showed excellent sensitivity($R_{gas}/R_{air}$=10.22) at 300$^{\circ}C$ to 5-ppm NO. The response time for 70 % saturated sensitivity was about 3 seconds, and the sensors exhibited very fast reactivity to NO$_x$.