• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.24.1-24.7
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• 2023

Assays of clinical diagnosis and species identification using molecular markers are performed according to a quantitative method in consideration of sensitivity, cost, speed, convenience, and specificity. However, typical polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay is difficult to quantify and have various limitations. In addition, to perform quantitative analysis with the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) equipment, a standard curve or normalization using reference genes is essential. Within the last a decade, previous studies have reported that the digital PCR (dPCR) assay, a third-generation PCR, can be applied in various fields by overcoming the shortcomings of typical PCR and qRT-PCR assays. We selected Stilla Naica System (Stilla Technologies), Droplet Digital PCR Technology (Bio-Rad), and Lab on an Array Digital Real-Time PCR analyzer system (OPTOLANE) for comparative analysis among the various droplet digital PCR platforms currently in use commercially. Our previous study discovered a molecular marker that can distinguish Hanwoo species (Korean native cattle) using Hanwoo-specific genomic structural variation. Here, we report the pros and cons of the operation of each dPCR platform from various perspectives using this species identification marker. In conclusion, we hope that this study will help researchers to select suitable dPCR platforms according to their purpose and resources.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.153-157
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• 2009

The production of extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamases ($ESBL_S$) of the TEM or SHV type by bacterial pathogens is a major threat to the use of the clinically important expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. The characterization of the SHV ESBLs producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains present in clinical isolates is time-consuming processes. We describe here in the development of a novel system, which consists of a real time PCR. We found 11 K. pneumoniae strains to be presumptive strains ESBLs producers by clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. The double disk synergy test showed 8 ESBL positive and conventional PCR showed 10 SHV ESBL positive, which were K. pneumoniae strains isolates. By real time PCR analysis, SHV gene in 11 of 11 strains were identified. When sequencing analysis was compared with real time PCR, both analysis were presented 99% similarity. In this study, we used a rapid, sensitive, and specific real-time PCR (RT-PCR) method for detection of the assay SHV ESBL producing K. pneumoniae strains in clinical isolates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1301-1306
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• 2012

We combined real-time RT-PCR and real-time PCR (R/P) assays using a hydrolysis probe to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC)-specific 16S rRNA and its rRNA gene (rDNA). The assay was applied to 28 non-respiratory and 207 respiratory specimens from 218 patients. Total nucleic acids (including RNA and DNA) were extracted from samples, and results were considered positive if the repeat RT-PCR threshold cycle was ${\leq}35$ and the ratio of real-time RT-PCR and real-time PCR load was ${\geq}1.51$. The results were compared with those from existing methods, including smear, culture, and real-time PCR. Following resolution of the discrepant results between R/P assay and culture, the overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) of all samples (including non-respiratory and respiratory specimens) were 98.2%, 97.2%, 91.7%, and 99.4%, respectively, for R/P assay, and 83.9%, 89.9%, 72.3%, and 94.7%, respectively, for real-time PCR. Furthermore, the R/P assay of four patient samples showed a higher ratio before treatment than after several days of treatment. We conclude that the R/P assay is a rapid and accurate method for direct detection of MTBC, which can distinguish viable and nonviable MTBC, and thus may guide patient therapy and public health decisions.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.459-468
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• 2020

This study established a new polymerase spiral reaction (PSR) that combines with reverse transcription reactions for HCV detection targeting 5'UTR gene. To avoid cross-contamination of aerosols, an isothermal amplification tube (IAT), as a separate containment control, was used to judge the result. After optimizing the RT-PSR reaction system, its effectiveness and specificity were tested against 15 different virus strains which included 8 that were HCV positive and 7 as non-HCV controls. The results showed that the RT-PSR assay effectively detected all 8 HCV strains, and no false positives were found among the 7 non-HCV strains. The detection limit of our RT-PSR assay is comparable to the real-time RT-PCR, but is more sensitive than the RT-LAMP. The established RT-PSR assay was further evaluated for detection of HCV in clinical blood samples, and the resulting 80.25% detection rate demonstrated better or similar effectiveness compared to the RT-LAMP (79.63%) and real-time RT-PCR (80.25%). Overall, the results showed that the RT-PSR assay offers high specificity and sensitivity for HCV detection with great potential for screening HCV in clinical blood samples.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.226-231
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• 2007

Housekeeping genes are widely used as internal controls in a variety of study types, including real time RT-PCR, microarrays, Northern analysis and RNase protection assays. However, even commonly used housekeeping genes may vary in stability depending on the cell type or disease being studied. Thus, it is necessary to identify additional housekeeping-type genes that show sample-independent stability. Here, we used statistical analysis to examine a large human microarray database, seeking genes that were stably expressed in various tissues, disease states and cell lines. We further selected genes that were expressed at different levels, because reference and target genes should be present in similar copy numbers to achieve reliable quantitative results. Real time RT-PCR amplification of three newly identified reference genes, CGI-119, CTBP1 and GOLGAl, alongside three well-known housekeeping genes, B2M, GAPD, and TUBB, confirmed that the newly identified genes were more stably expressed in individual samples with similar ranges. These results collectively suggest that statistical analysis of microarray data can be used to identify new candidate housekeeping genes showing consistent expression across tissues and diseases. Our analysis identified three novel candidate housekeeping genes (CGI-119, GOLGA1, and CTBP1) that could prove useful for normalization across a variety of RNA-based techniques.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1896-1901
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• 2010

This study was conducted using quantitative real-time PCR using Lactobacilli as probiotics. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT PCR) was conducted via a method involving SYBR Green 1 and a probe. Plasmid DNA was cloned using the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic species region. Gene clones were diluted from $10^2$ to $10^{10}$. Standard curves were constructed via Ct values obtained from the results of Real-time PCR via the aforementioned SYBR Green 1 and probe method. Plasmid DNA was also cloned using the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic species region and the gene clones were diluted from $10^2$ to $10^{10}$ copy numbers via the probe method. Using RT PCR, a standard curve of plasmid DNA copy numbers was also determined. The slope value for the Y-axis intercept and $R^2$ value were measured as -3.346, 33.18, and 0.993, respectively, via the first method. For the second method, the slope value for the Y-axis intercept and $R^2$ were -3.321, 31.10 and 0.995, respectively. The PCR inhibitor could not express the detection curve at a copy number over $10^{10}$ via either method, owing to high DNA density. The DNA extract from probiotics was diluted without pre-culturing, and 16 products were amplified via both methods. The Ct value was 11.06~18.12 in the first method and 16.74~22.11 in the second method. Measured probiotics and log copy values were largely similar among the methods used. It was concluded that both methods are effective for analysis, but further research will be required to verify the optimal method.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2018

Norovirus is a leading cause of sporadic pathogenic non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. For the detection of norovirus, reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT qPCR) has quickly become a major tool due to its sensitivity and specificity. However, accurate viral RNA extraction methods are essential for RT qPCR analysis. TRIzol reagents are used to extract RNA from biological materials and are therefore widely used for norovirus RNA extraction. In this study, the yield of viral RNA extraction using TRIzol from genogroup II (GII) among the human norovirus genogroup I (GI) and GII, and murine norovirus (GV) depended on the pH of the virus sample solution. The yield of RNA extraction was higher at the alkaline pH than in the acidic region compared with the Ct (threshold cycle) value of the real-time PCR. From the results of this study, it was found that the pH condition is very important for the quantitative analysis of norovirus by extracting GII RNA using TRIzol.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.406-416
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• 2007

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which consist of a substitution of a single nucleotide pair, are the most abundant form of genetic variations occurring with a frequency of approximately 1 per 1000 base pairs. SNPs by themselves do not cause disease but can predispose humans to disease, modify the extent or severity of the disease or influence the drug response and treatment efficacy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), particularly those within the regulatory regions of the genes often influence the expression levels and can modify the disease. Studies examining the associations between SNP and the disease outcome have provided valuable insight into the disease etiology and potential therapeutic intervention. Traditionally, the genotyping of SNPs has been carried out using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP), which is a low throughput technique not amenable for use in large-scale SNP studies. Recently, TaqMan real-time PCR chemistry was adapted for use in allelic discrimination assays. This study validated the accuracy and utility of real-time PCR technology for SNPs genotyping Methods: The SNPs in promoter sequence (-37 and -524) of lung cancer suppressor gene, RRM1 (ribonucleotide reductase M1 subunit) with the genomic DNA samples of 89 subjects were genotyped using both real-time PCR and PCR-RFLP. Results: The discordance rates were 2.2% (2 mismatches) in -37 and 16.3% (15 mismatches) in -524. Auto-direct sequencing of all the mismatched samples(17 cases) were in accord with the genotypes read by real-time PCR. In addition, 138 genomic DNAs were genotyped using real-time PCR in a duplicate manner (two separated assays). Ninety-eight percent of the samples showed concordance between the two assays. Conclusion: Real-time PCR allelic discrimination assays are amenable to high-throughput genotyping and overcome many of the problematic features associated with PCR-RFLP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.986-1001
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• 2007

Cold acclimation improves freezing tolerance in plants. In higher plants, many advances have been made toward identifying the signaling and regulatory pathways that direct the low-temperature stress response; however, similar insights have not yet been gained for simple nonvascular plants, such as bryophytes. To elucidate the pathways that regulate cold acclimation in bryophytes, we used two PCR-based differential screening techniques, cDNA amplified fragment length polymorphism (cDNA-AFLP) and suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH), to isolate 510 ESTs that are differentially expressed during cold acclimation in Physcomitrella patens. We used realtime RT-PCR to further analyze expression of 29 of these transcripts during cold acclimation. Our results show that cold acclimation in the bryophyte Physcomitrella patens is not only largely similar to higher plants but also displays distinct differences, suggests significant alteration during the evolution of land plants.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.508-513
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• 2010

Cytokines are important mediators of the immune response, and quantitating cytokine mRNA is a highly sensitive and attractive method for measuring cytokine production. The objective of the current study was to develop and validate a SYBR green quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) assay for measuring canine cytokine mRNA. The optimal annealing temperatures ($T_a$) of the designed primers were $62^{\circ}C$ for interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-10; $60^{\circ}C$ for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$; and $58^{\circ}C$ for high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Primer efficiencies of all primers calculated for standard curve samples were between 97.1% and 102.6%. No evidence of secondary structure or primer-dimer formation was seen via melt-curve analysis or gel electrophoresis. The developed qRT-PCR assays are highly specific and sensitive and can be used to quantify gene expression levels of canine cytokines.