• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-96
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• 2018

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by increased susceptibility to chronic and recurrent infections of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails by Candida species. It is a primary immunodeficiency disorder that is difficult to diagnose because of its heterogeneous clinical manifestations and genetic background. A 20-month-old boy who did not grow in height for 3 months was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism and he had hepatitis which was found at 5 years old. He presented with persistent oral thrush and vesicles on the body, the cause of which could not be identified from laboratory findings. No microorganism was detected in the throat culture; however, the oral thrush persisted. Immunological tests showed that immunoglobulin (Ig) subclass IgG and cluster of differentiation (CD)3, CD4, and CD8 levels were within normal limits. We prescribed oral levothyroxine and fluconazole mouth rinse. The patient was examined using diagnostic exome sequencing at the age of 6 years, and a c.1162A>G (p.K388E) STAT1 gene mutation was identified. A diagnosis of CMC based on the STAT1 gene mutation was, thus, made. At the age of 8 years, the boy developed a malar-like rash on his face. We conducted tests for detection of antinuclear antibodies and anti-dsDNA antibodies, which showed positive results; therefore, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was also suspected. Whole exome sequencing is important to diagnose rare diseases in children. A STAT1 gene mutation should be suspected in patients with chronic fungal infections with a thyroid disease and/or SLE.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.626-632
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• 2005

A new bacterium BL-2 excreting a novel cationic polyglucosamine biopolymer was isolated from the spoiled leaves of Chinese cabbage and identified as Enterobacter sp. BL-2. The isolated Enterobacter sp. BL-2 was cultivated in pH-stat fed-batch culture using acetic acid as the feeding stock at pH 8.0, resulting in 17.11 g/l of cells and 1.53 g/l of an extracellular biopolymer after 72 h. The excreted biopolymer was purified by a three-step procedure, involving ethanol precipitation and deproteinizations, to a nearly homogeneous state, and its molecular weight was found to be 106 kDa. It was composed of glucosamine, rhamnose, and galactose at a molar ratio of 86.4:1.6:1.0, respectively, indicating a rarely found novel high-glucosamine-containing biopolymer. The FT-IR and $^{13}C-NMR$ spectra of the novel cationic polyglucosamine biopolymer PGB-l revealed a close identity with chitosan from crab shell. It can effectively flocculate various suspended solids, including kaolin clay, $Ca(OH)_2,\;Al_{2}O_3$, active carbon, microbial cells, and acidic dyes.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.657-664
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to compare the dimensional stability, compression resistance, elastic recovery and surface hardness of elastomeric interocclusal recording materials. Five commonly used elastomeric interocclusal recording materials(Ramitec, Regisil, Blue-Mousse, Stat-Br, Coltoflax) were selected for this study. According to ADA specification No. 19, two types of specimen were fabricated. Cylinder type specimens were used to test compression resistance and elastic recovery and plate type specimens were used to evaluate dimensional stability and surface hardness. Paired t-test was applied to detect significance among the occlusal registration materials. The obtained results were as follows: 1. There were statistical difference in dimensional stability between the elastic interocclusal recording materials. The dimensional stability of silicone was higher than that of polyether tested(p<0.05). 2. Coltoflax was significantly less resistance to compression than the other elastic interocclusal recording materials(p<0.001). 3. The elastic recovery capacity of Blu-Mousse and Stat-Br is better than that of Coltoflax (p<0.01). 4. The surface hardness of Coltoflax was lower than that of Blu-Mousse and Stat-Br(p<0.05). 5. The percentage dimensional change of alll materials was acceptable according to the limid of 0.5% suggeted by ADA specificatin No. 19.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 1998

D-raf, a Drosophila homolog of the human c-raf-1, is known as a signal transducer in cell proliferation and differentiation. A previous study found that the D-raf gene expression is regulated by the DNA replication-related element (DRE)/DRE-binding factor (DREF) system. In this study, we found the sequences homologous to transcription factor C/EBP, MyoD, STAT and Myc recognition sites in the D-raf promoter. We have generated various base substitutional mutations in these recognition sites and subsequently examined their effects on D-raf promoter activity through transient CAT assays in Kc cells with reporter plasmids p5'-878DrafCAT carrying the mutations in these binding sites. Through gel mobility shift assay using nuclear extracts of Kc cells, we detected factors binding to these recognition sites. Our results show that transcription factor C/EBP, STAT and Myc binding sites in D-raf promoter region play a positive role in transcriptional regulation of the D-raf gene and the Myo D binding site plays a negative role.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2007

목적 : Signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (Stat 6) 유전자는 면역세포의 발달에 있어서 중요한 유전인자이며, IL-4와 같은 사이토카인에 의해 유전자 발현이 조절된다. 본 연구에서는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐와 정상 (wild type, W/T) 생쥐에 carrageenan으로 염증을 유도한 후 족삼리에 침치료를 시행하여 시상하부에서의 유전자 발현 양상을 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : BALB/c (W/T, n=12) and BALB/c-Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 (n=12)의 발뒤꿈치 표피에 1% carrageenan을 30 ul 주사하여 염증을 유도하였다. 침은 염증 유도 30분 후에 족삼리(ST36)에 시침하였으며, 염증유도에 의한 부종 증가율을 매 시간마다 측정하여 총 5시간동안 측정하였다. 마이크로에러이는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐를 염증 유발 군과 염증유발 후 침을 처치한 군으로 나누고, 시상하부를 적출하여 RNA를 분리한뒤 마이크로어레이 프로파일을 분석하였다. 결 과 : 염증에 의한 부종증가율을 비교한 결과, Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 그룹의 부종증가율이 W/T 생쥐의 부종 증가율보다 약 50 % 정도 감소하였으며, 각 3, 4, 5시간째에 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. (각 p<0.05). W.T생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐군 모두에서, 침 처치군이 염증 유발 군에 비해, 염증 유발 2시간 후부터 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 시상하부의 유전자 발현을 관찰한 결과, 39개의 유전자가 3배 이상 감소하였으며, 19개의 유전자는 3배 이상 증가하였다. 결 론 : W/T 생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 모두에서 침의 진통효과는 나타나며, 이의 기전에는 시상하부에서의 침 치료에 의한 염증관련 유전자들의 감소와, 항염증과 관련된 유전자들이 증가가 관여하는 것으로 보인다., 10, 11), 내측전완피신경(TE5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 후상완피신경(TE12, 13), 상외측상완피신경(TE13), 외측쇄골상신경(TE14, 15),대이개신경(TE16, 17, 18, 19), 소후두신경(TE19, 20), 이개측두신경(TE20, 21, 22), 안면신경측두지(TE22, 23), 관골측두신경(TE23), 중층에 견갑상신경(TE15), 견갑배신경(TE15), 경상설골근신경(TE17), 후이개신경(TE18, 19, 20), 안면신경측두지(TE20, 21, 22), 심층에 후골간신경(TE5, 6, 7), 요골신경심지(TE8, 9, 12, 13), 견갑상신경(TE14), 액와신경가지(TE14), 부신경(TE16), 안면신경과 부신경가지(TE17), 설인신경(TE17), 설하신경(TE17), 경신경고리(TE17), 미주신경(TE17), 안면신경 (TE18). 3) 혈(血) 관(管) : 천층에 척측정맥배측지(TE1, 2), 고유수장지동맥배측지(TE1), 배측중수골동맥배측지(TE2), 배측중수골정맥(TE3), 척측피정맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 배측정맥궁(TE4), 부요측피정맥(TE6, 8, 9),요측피정맥(TE10, 11), 후견봉정맥가지(TE13, 14), 후이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE16, 17, 18, 19, 20), 전이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE20), 천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE22, 23), 중층에 후상완회선동맥(TE14), 견갑배동맥(TE15), 견갑상동맥(TE15),천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE21), 관골측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE23), 심층에 배측중수골동맥(TE3), 배측수근동맥궁(TE4), 후골간동맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), 전골간동맥(TE6, 7, 9)

• ALGAE
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.15-32
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• 2022

Inspecting herbaria collections of Laurencia rigida highlighted frequent misidentifications between L. rigida and L. heteroclada f. decussata, two poorly studied taxa from Australia. Recent collections of DNA material, including from topotype material, allowed for re-examination of these two taxa using molecular techniques. Detailed morphological and molecular analyses based on two markers (rbcL and COI-5P) strongly supported these two taxa as being distinct from each other and requiring nomenclatural changes. Comprehensive morphological analyses highlighted features useful for accurate identifications. Interestingly, L. rigida was found to belong to the genus Palisada with evidence from both the morphology and molecular data. Therefore, this study proposed recognizing L. rigida as Palisada rigida comb. nov. Molecular data for L. heteroclada f. decussata on the other hand supported its separation from L. heteroclada, with too great a molecular distance to be considered a variety. Morphological characters that best separated P. rigida from L. decussata included seven characters; number of pericentral cells per vegetative axial segment, the presence of secondary pit connections, the presence of lenticular thickenings, tetrasporangia alignment, the presence of corps en cerise, holdfast morphology, and overall plant shape. Morphologically, L. heteroclada f. decussata was also separated from L. heteroclada, particularly by the following characteristics; ultimate branchlets morphologies, lower order branch lengths, primary axis and holdfast morphologies. Therefore, it was proposed that L. heteroclada f. decussata is recognized at a species level as L. decussata comb. et stat. nov.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: O-cyclic phytosphingosine-1-phosphate (cP1P) is a synthetic chemical and has a structure like sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). S1P is known to promote cell migration, invasion, proliferation, and anti-apoptosis through hippocampal signals. However, S1P mediated cellular-, molecular mechanism is still remained in the lung. Acute lung injury (ALI) and its severe form acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are characterized by excessive immune response, increased vascular permeability, alveolar-peritoneal barrier collapse, and edema. In this study, we determined whether cP1P primed human dermal derived mesenchymal stem cells (hdMSCs) ameliorate lung injury and its therapeutic pathway in ALI mice. Methods and Results: cP1P treatment significantly stimulated MSC migration and invasion ability. In cytokine array, secretion of vascular-related factors was increased in cP1P primed hdMSCs (hdMSC^cP1P), and cP1P treatment induced inhibition of Lats while increased phosphorylation of Yap. We next determined whether hdMSC^cP1P reduce inflammatory response in LPS exposed mice. hdMSC^cP1P further decreased infiltration of macrophage and neutrophil, and release of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were reduced rather than naïve hdMSC treatment. In addition, phosphorylation of STAT1 and expression of iNOS were significantly decreased in the lungs of MSC^cP1P treated mice. Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that cP1P treatment enhances hdMSC migration in regulation of Hippo signaling and MSC^cP1P provide a therapeutic potential for ALI/ARDS treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6871-6876
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• 2015

Background: The meningeal hemangiopericytoma (MHPC) is a vascular tumor arising from pericytes. Most intracranial MHPCs resemble meningiomas (MNGs) in their clinical presentation and histological features and may therefore be misdiagnosed, despite important differences in prognosis. Materials and Methods: We report 8 cases of MHPC and 5 cases of MNG collected from 2007 to 2011 from the Neuro-Surgery and Histopathology departments. All 13 samples were re reviewed by two independent pathologists and investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using mesenchymal, epithelial and neuro-glial markers. Additionally, we screened all tumors for a large panel of chromosomal alterations using multiplex ligation probe amplification (MLPA). Presence of the NAB2-STAT6 fusion gene was inferred by immunohistochemical staining for STAT6. Results: Compared with MNG, MHPCs showed strong VIM (100% of cases), CD99 (62%), bcl-2 (87%), and p16 (75%) staining but only focal positivity with EMA (33%) and NSE (37%). The p21 antibody was positive in 62% of MHPC and less than 1% in all MNGs. MLPA data did not distinguish HPC from MNG, with PTEN loss and ERBB2 gain found in both. By contrast, STAT6 nuclear staining was observed in 3 MHPC cases and was absent from MNG. Conclusions: MNG and MHPC comprise a spectrum of tumors that cannot be easily differentiated based on histopathology. The presence of STAT6 nuclear positivity may however be a useful diagnostic marker.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2013

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is responsible for the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV core protein plays not only a structural role in the virion morphogenesis by encapsidating a virus RNA genome but also a non-structural role in HCV-induced pathogenesis by blocking innate immunity. Especially, it has been shown to regulate JAK-STAT signaling pathway through its direct interaction with Janus kinase (JAK) via its proline-rich JAK-binding motif ($^{79}{\underline{P}}GY{\underline{P}}WP^{84}$). However, little is known about the physiological significance of this HCV core-JAK association in the context of the virus life cycle. In order to gain an insight, a mutant HCV genome (J6/JFH1-79A82A) was constructed to express the mutant core with a defective JAK-binding motif ($^{79}{\underline{A}}GY{\underline{A}}WP^{84}$) using an HCV genotype 2a infectious clone (J6/JFH1). When this mutant HCV genome was introduced into hepatocarcinoma cells, it was found to be severely impaired in its ability to produce infectious viruses in spite of its robust RNA genome replication. Taken together, all these results suggest an essential requirement of HCV core-JAK protein interaction for efficient production of infectious viruses and the potential of using core-JAK blockers as a new anti-HCV therapy.