• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. Results: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. Conclusion: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2019

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are final products formed by glycation reaction between reducing sugars and proteins, lipids or nucleic acids. These AGEs are related to progress of skin aging. In this study, we evaluate anti-aging activity of Defatted Torreya nucifera seed extract (DTSE) through antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-elastase and inhibitory and breaking activity on the cross-linking of AGEs to collagen assay. Results showed that DTSE contained polyphenols and flavonoids. The $IC_{50}$ values of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity were $16.4{\mu}g$ (Dried materials, DM)/mL and $16.7{\mu}g\;DM/mL$, respectively. DTSE also inhibited the formation of AGEs, elastase activity and cross-linking of AGEs to collagen as well as broke existing cross-linking of AGEs to collagen in a dose-dependent manner. Consequently, our findings suggest that DTSE could be useful as a cosmetic material with anti-aging activity.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.98-105
• /
• 2021

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system is a family of DNA sequences originally discovered as a type of acquired immunity in prokaryotes such as bacteria and archaea. In many CRISPR systems, the functional ribonucleoproteins (RNPs) are composed of CRISPR protein and guide RNAs. They selectively bind and cleave specific target DNAs or RNAs, based on sequences complementary to the guide RNA. The specific targeted cleavage of the nucleic acids by CRISPR has been broadly utilized in genome editing methods. In the process of genome editing of eukaryotic cells, CRISPR-mediated DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) at specific genomic loci activate the endogenous DNA repair systems and induce mutations at the target sites with high efficiencies. Two of the major endogenous DNA repair machineries are non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and homology-directed repair (HDR). In case of DSB, the two repair pathways operate in competition, resulting in several possible outcomes including deletions, insertions, and substitutions. Due to the inherent stochasticity of DSB-based genome editing methods, it was difficult to achieve defined single-base changes without unanticipated random mutation patterns. In order to overcome the heterogeneity in DSB-mediated genome editing, novel methods have been developed to incorporate precise single-base level changes without inducing DSB. The approaches utilized catalytically compromised CRISPR in conjunction with base-modifying enzymes and DNA polymerases, to accomplish highly efficient and precise genome editing of single and multiple bases. In this review, we introduce some of the advances in single-base level CRISPR genome editing methods and their applications.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.71.1-71.10
• /
• 2020

Background: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a major and highly infectious pathogen in cats worldwide. However, there have been limited studies about the status of FCV infections in Korea. Objectives: To investigate the current status of FCV infections in stray cats in Korea. Methods: A novel reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed based on the conserved nucleotide sequences of reported FCV strains. Field swab samples were collected from 122 cats (2 hospital admitted cats and 120 stray cats) in 2016 and 2017. All the samples were tested by virus isolation and 2 different RT-PCRs, including the novel RT-PCR, for the detection of FCV. Results: The novel RT-PCR assay showed no cross-reactivity to the nucleic acids of the other feline pathogens tested, and the limit of detection was calculated as 10⁰ TCID₅₀/mL based on an in vitro assessment. The novel RT-PCR assay detected 5 positive samples from the 122 field samples, which showed perfect agreement with the results of the virus isolation method. In contrast, another RT-PCR assay used in a previous study in Korea detected no positive samples. The prevalence of FCV infection in stray cats was 2.5% (3/120) based on the results of virus isolation and the novel RT-PCR assays. Conclusions: The current study is the first report of the detection and prevalence of FCV in stray cats in Korea. The novel RT-PCR assay developed in this study showed high sensitivity and specificity, which indicates a useful diagnostic assay to identify FCV infection in cats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.253-263
• /
• 2023

The biogenesis and biological roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the progression of liver diseases have attracted considerable attention in recent years. EVs are membrane-bound nanosized vesicles found in different types of body fluids and contain various bioactive materials, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and mitochondrial DNA. Based on their origin and biogenesis, EVs can be classified as apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. Among these, exosomes are the smallest EVs (30-150 nm in diameter), which play a significant role in cell-to-cell communication and epigenetic regulation. Moreover, exosomal content analysis can reveal the functional state of the parental cell. Therefore, exosomes can be applied to various purposes, including disease diagnosis and treatment, drug delivery, cell-free vaccines, and regenerative medicine. However, exosome-related research faces two major limitations: isolation of exosomes with high yield and purity and distinction of exosomes from other EVs (especially microvesicles). No standardized exosome isolation method has been established to date; however, various exosome isolation strategies have been proposed to investigate their biological roles. Exosome-mediated intercellular communications are known to be involved in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease development. Damaged hepatocytes or nonparenchymal cells release large numbers of exosomes that promote the progression of inflammation and fibrogenesis through interactions with neighboring cells. Exosomes are expected to provide insight on the progression of liver disease. Here, we review the biogenesis of exosomes, exosome isolation techniques, and biological roles of exosomes in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.19-30
• /
• 2022

In this study, a simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) combined with visual detection method (vLAMP) assay was developed for the rapid and specific detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV), overcoming the shortcomings of previously described LAMP assays that require additional detection steps or pose a cross-contamination risk. The assay results can be directly detected by the naked eye using hydroxynaphthol blue after incubation for 40 min at 62℃. The assay specifically amplified ASFV DNA and no other viral nucleic acids. The limit of detection of the assay was <50 DNA copies/reaction, which was ten times more sensitive than conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and comparable to real-time PCR (qPCR). For clinical evaluation, the ASFV detection rate of vLAMP was higher than cPCR and comparable to OIE-recommended qPCR, showing 100% concordance, with a κ value (95% confidence interval) of 1 (1.00~1.00). Considering the advantages of high sensitivity and specificity, no possibility for cross-contamination, and being able to be used as low-cost equipment, the developed vLAMP assay will be a valuable tool for detecting ASFV from clinical samples, even in resource-limited laboratories.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2022

Proliferative and necrotizing pneumonia (PNP) is a form of interstitial pneumonia that occurs in post-weaning pigs. In this study, we investigated the presence of swine influenza virus (SIV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) in PNP lesions in Jeju pigs. Based on the histopathologic criteria for PNP, a total of 50 cases were selected in Jeju pigs between 2008 and 2010. Coupled with histopathological examinations, the presence of ADV and SIV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and PRRSV and PCV2 by immunohistochemical (IHC) methods were investigated. Based on the PCR and RT-PCR methods, ADV and SIV nucleic acids were not detected in all cases. According to IHC, PRRSV was detected in 38 of the 50 cases examined (76%) and PCV2 in 25 cases (50%). PRRSV or PCV2 were detected in 19 (38%) or 6 (12%) cases, respectively. Both PRRSV and PCV2 were identified in other 19 cases (38%). Antigens of PRRSV and PCV2 were commonly observed in the cytoplasm of macrophages and clusters of necrotic cells in alveolar cavities. The results of the present study demonstrate that PRRSV is predominantly associated with PNP in Jeju pigs. Co-infection with PRRSV and PCV2 may enhance the severity of PNP lesions in affected pigs.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2023

Pan-Enterovirus (Pan-EV) infects millions of children and infants worldwide every year. As severe infections have recently been reported, the need for monitoring has consequently intensified. Pan-EV is a categorical name for waterborne enteroviruses belonging to the Picornaviridae family, and includes a wide range of pathogens including Coxsackievirus (CoxV), Echovirus (EcoV) and Enterovirus (EV). In this study, we proposed an optimal RT-nested PCR method for diagnosis of various types of Pan-EV in an aquatic environment and developed a positive control. Considering detection sensitivity, specific reaction, and final identification, one condition capable of amplifying 478 bp among the four candidates in the 1^st round PCR (RT-PCR) and one condition in the 2^nd round PCR (nested PCR) were selected. Through the detection of nucleic acids extracted from 123 groundwater samples and the detection sensitivity test based on artificial spiking in the sample, the methods are optimal for non-disinfected water samples such as groundwater. We developed a positive control for Pan-EV detection that can be amplified to different sizes under the two conditions. Accuracy could be further improved by testing for contamination from the control group. The method proposed in this study and the positive control developed are expected to be used in monitoring Pan-EV in aquatic environments including groundwater through future research using more samples.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.36 no.11
• /
• pp.1632-1646
• /
• 2023

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary betaine (BT) supplementation on the hepatic transcriptome profiles in broiler chickens raised under heat stress (HS) conditions. Methods: A total of 180 (21-d-old) Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allotted to 1 of 3 treatment groups with 6 replicated cages in a completely randomized design. One group was kept under thermoneutral conditions at all times and was fed a basal diet (PC). Other 2 groups were exposed to a cyclic heat stress condition. One of the 2 groups under heat stress conditions was fed the basal diet as a negative control (NC), whereas the other group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% BT. All chickens were provided with diets and water ad libitum for 21 d. Following the experiment, the liver samples were collected for RNA sequencing analysis. Results: Broiler chickens in NC and BT group had decreased (p<0.05) growth performance. In the transcriptome analysis, the number of differentially expressed genes were identified in the liver by HS conditions and dietary BT supplementation. In the comparison between NC and PC treatments, genes related to energy and nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and immune system were altered by HS, which support the reason why heat-stressed poultry had decreased growth performance. In the comparison between NC and BT treatments, genes related to lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and immune system were differently expressed under HS conditions. Conclusion: HS negatively impacts various physiological processes, including DNA replication, metabolism of amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, and cell cycle progression in broiler chickens. Dietary BT supplementation, however, offers potential counteractive effects by modulating liver function, facilitating gluconeogenesis, and enhancing immune systems. These findings provide a basis for understanding molecular responses by HS and the possible benefits of dietary BT supplementation in broiler chickens exposed to HS.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.45 no.1
• /
• pp.20-25
• /
• 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized lipid bilayer vesicles released by cells. EVs act as messengers for cell-to-cell communication. Inside, it contains various substances that show biological activity, such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites. The study of EVs extracted from terrestrial organisms and stem cells on inflammatory environments and tissue regeneration have been actively conducted. However, marine organisms-derived EVs are limited. Therefore, we have extracted EVs from sea urchins belonging to the Echinoderm group with their excellent regenerative ability. First, we extracted extracellular matrix (ECM) from sea urchin gonads treated with hypotonic buffer, followed by collagenase treatment, and filtration to collect ECM-bounded EVs. The size of sea urchin gonad-derived EVs (UGEVs) is about 20-100 nm and has a round shape. The protein content was higher after EVs burst than before, which is evidence that proteins are contained inside. In addition, proteins of various sizes are distributed inside. PKH-26 was combined with UGEVs, which means that UGEVs have a lipid membrane. PHK-26-labeled UGEVs were successfully uptaken by cells. UGEVs can be confirmed to have the same characteristics as traditional EVs. Finally, it was confirmed that Schwann cells were not toxic by increasing proliferation after treatment.