• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.18 no.7
• /
• pp.940-946
• /
• 2008

Neurotransmitter transporters, which remove neurotransmittesr from the synaptic cleft, are regulated by second messenger such as protein kinases and binding proteins. Neuronal ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid transporters (GATs) are responsible for removing the inhibitory neurotransmitter ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) from the synaptic cleft. ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid transporters 2 (GAT2/BGT1) is involved in regulating neurotransmitter recycling, but the mechanism how they are stabilized and regulated by the specific binding protein has not yet been elucidated. Here, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify the specific binding protein(s) that interacts with the C-terminal region of GAT2 and found a specific interaction with the mammalian LIN-7b (MALS-2). MALS-2 protein bound to the tail region of GAT2 but not to other GAT members in the yeast two-hybrid assay. The "T-X-L" motif at the C-terminal end of GAT2 is essential for interaction with MALS-2. In addition, this protein showed specific interactions in the glutathione S-transferase (GST) pull-down assay. An antibody to GAT2 specifically co-immunoprecipitated MALS associated with GAT2 from mouse brain extracts. These results suggest that MALS may stabilize GAT2 in brain.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The lymph node status assessed by conventional histological examination is the most important prognostic factor in patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma. The presence of lymph node metastasis has a strong adverse impact on patient survival even after extended radical resection. Despite these findings, tumour recurrence is not rare after surgery, even when histological examination shows no lymph node metastasis. Recently, molecular-genetically and immunohistochemically demonstrated micrometastasis to the lymph nodes has been shown to have a significant adverse influence on survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma and histologically negative nodes. The present study sought to determine the incidence and clarify the clinical significance of molecular-genetically and immunohistochemically demonstrated nodal micrometastases and to correlate these data with the stage of oral cancer. Methods: Lymph nodes systematically removed from 71 patients who underwent curative resection between 1998 and 2003 with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were examined molecular-genetically to detect cytokeratin 5 mRNA with RT-PCR and immunohistochemically to detect cells that stained positively for cytokeratins with the monoclonal antibody cocktail AE1/AE3. The postoperative course and survival rates were compared among patients with and without micrometastases, after numerical classification of overt metastatic nodes. Results: micrometastases were detected in 43(60%) of 71 patients by RT-PCR and 26(36%) of 71 patients by immunohistochemistry. By RT-PCR analysis, patients exhibiting a positive band for CK 5 mRNA had a significantly worse prognosis than those were RT-PCR negative. By immunohistochemistry, the presence of micrometastasis did not predict patient outcome. Conclusion: Micrometastases detected by RT-PCR may be of clinical value in identifying patients who may be at high risk for recurrence and who are therefore likely to benefit from systemic adjuvant therapy.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.317-322
• /
• 2017

High-tech medical equipment has increased the utilization of radiation in the medical field. As a result, research on radiation protection using natural materials has become an important social issue. Selenium is a natural substance that is highly expressed in prostate known that an essential role in prostate cells. Selenium was orally administered to Rat and irradiated with 10 Gy of radiation. Then, the prostate tissue w as used as a target organ for 1 day, 7 days and 21 days to investigate the radiation protection effect of selenium through changes of blood components, Superoxide Dismutase and histological changes. As a result, there was a significant protective effect of hematopoietic immune system(hemoglobin concentration, neutrophil, platelet) in the group irradiated with selenium(p<0.05). the observation of tissue changes selenium is an effective component to increase Superoxide Dismutase activity, and it was confirmed that it has an effect of inhibiting the expression of hypertrophy of prostate by irradiation. Therefore, it is considered that selenium can be utilized as a radioprotective agent by inducing prevention of prostate-related diseases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.283-289
• /
• 1989

In order to measure in vitro cell mediated immunity in the guinea pigs sensitized with the killed bacilli of Mycobacterium bovis ($AN_5$), M avium (serotype 2), M tuberculosis and M intracellulare (serotype 8), leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test was established using the antigens of purified protein derivatives (PPD) tuberculin. By using LAI test, specificity of cell-mediated immune responses of the guinea pigs inoculated with various Mycobacterium spp was investigated, and comparison between values of LAI and skin test was also made to evaluate the specificity of the newly designed test. The results obtained throughout the experiments were summarized as follows; 1. The optimal concentration of PPD antigens for LAI test was 1 to 2mg per ml of medium. 2. When the leukocytes of guinea pigs sensitized with both M bovis($AN_5$) and M avium (serotype 2) for 2 to 8 weeks were incubated with homologous or heterologous PPD antigens, mean values of LAI test were $61.2{\pm}11.2$ and $65.6{\pm}5.1%$ in homologous PPD antigens respectively, while $30.0{\pm}3.7$ and $32.8{\pm}5.7%$ in heteNlogous PPD antigens, showing the prominently high value of LAI in the homologous syst,em (p<0.01). 3. When the leukocytes of guinea pigs sensitized with both M tuberculosis and M intracellulare (serotype 8) for 2 to 8 weeks were incubated with homologous and heterologous PPD antigens, mean values of LAI test were $67.9{\pm}2.9$ and $66.9{\pm}5.0%$ in homologous PPD antigens, while $27.4{\pm}7.4$ and $24.4{\pm}7.1%$ in heterologous PPD antigens, showing the prominently high value of LAI in the homologous system (p<0.01). 4. Comparing with the specificity of LAI and skin tests on the basis of the value obtained from the homologous system, deviation of reaction was revealed to be 49.5 to 100.2 in LAI test, and -15.9 to 52.0 in skin test.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
• /
• v.25
• /
• pp.9-24
• /
• 2006

지속적으로 증가 하고 있는 악성 종양 발병률의 증가, 생존률의 향상, 조기발견의 증가 등이 암 기왕자의 보험 수요 상승을 가져오고 있으며, 보험시장에서 더 이상 암 기왕자를 도외시하기 어렵게 만들고 있다. 그러나, 현재 국내에서는 암 기왕자를 인수할 수 있는 상품과 언더라이팅 인수 기법이 부족한 실정이다. 본 논문은 이러한 상황 하에서 기존에 거절체로 인식되었던 암 기왕자의 적극적인 인수를 위해 악성종양에 대한 보험 의학적인 고찰과 사망률, 위험도에 대해 분석하고, 국내에서 암 기왕자의 보험 인수 시 문제점과 그 해결방안을 모색해 보았다. 종양은 종양세포의 성장과 확산의 정도를 나타내는 병기와 조직학적 등급에 의해 그 예후와 경과가 예측 가능하며, 이 병기를 표준화하려는 국제적 시도로 1977년 American Joint Committee on Cancer(AJCC)는 TNM system 을 제시하였다. 병기를 기초로 치료의 결정도 함께 이루어지는데, 주요 치료법을 수술, 방사선치료, 항암치료, 면역요법이 있다. 이러한 치료법들은 후기 부작용을 일으키거나 이차성 암(Secondary malignant neoplasm)의 원인이 되기도 한다. 병기에 따른 암환자의 사망률을 살펴 보면, 암은 일정시기 동안 사망률이 급격히 증가하다가 이후에 점차 사망률이 감소하고, 그 이후에는 사망률에 영향을 미치지 않는다. 이러한 사망률 변화의 특성은 암 기왕자에게 평준식 정액 할증법(Per mille flat extra)의 적용이 적절함을 보여준다. 그러나, 현재 국내에서는 악성 종양 기왕자를 위한 상품이 전무한 상태이며, 암의 병리적 병기와 치료에 관련된 정보를 얻을 수 있는 도구도 부족하고, 명확한 인수 기법이 없다. 또한, 자체의 경험통계의 부족으로 위험에 대한 부담감이 큰 것이 현실이다. 하지만, 병기에 따른 사망률의 변화에서도 알 수 있듯이 평준식 정액 할증법의 도입이나, 악성종양의 병기(Stage)별 정액 할증률을 삭감법으로 전환하는 기준을 개발한다면, 종신보험은 충분히 인수가 가능하다. 또한, CI 보험도 암에 대한 부담보를 하는 선진사의 인수 기법을 도입하거나, 암 기왕자만을 위한 CI 상품을 개발하는 등 새로운 인수 기법을 모색한다면, 암기왕자 인수의 폭은 넓어질 것이다. 이와 같은 노력과 함께, 언더라이팅의 정보 획득을 위한 암 기왕자만의 고지서를 개발하고, 전문 언더라이터의 양성을 위한 노력을 게을리 하지 않는다면, 암기왕자를 적극적으로 인수할 수 있을 것이다. 앞으로 국내 보험사가 위와 같은 노력을 지속적으로 해 나가고, 비교적 예후와 경과가 양호한 0기와 1기 암 기왕자부터 단계적으로 종신보험의 인수를 시도한다면, 비교적 안전하게 경험치를 축적할 수 있을 것이다. 뿐만 아니라 국내 보험업계는 새로운 시장의 확보와 보험에 대한 대외 이미지 개선이라는 효과도 함께 얻게 될 것이다.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.136-142
• /
• 2006

Haematococcus pluvialis is a great producer of astaxanthin (3,3'-dihydroxy-$\beta$,$\beta$-carotene-4,4'-dione). The activities of astaxanthin include potential cancer prevention, immune response enhancement, antioxidant activity, and so on. Nevertheless, it tried to manipulate by mutation for overcoming low growth rate of wild type and limited production of astaxanthin. Mutated colony that is lager and more reddish one than wild type was selected by attempting to expose strains to UV irradiation and to treat chemical such as EMS and colchicines as mutagen. Selected mutants were further screened using inhibitors of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Inhibitors used were nicotine and diphenylamine and both had decreased the survival rate by 40-50%. Among over 50,000 mutant colonies screened, two strains were selected. One selected mutant strain (U15-5) from UV treatment showed 1.68-fold higher total carotenoid contents per cell than that of the wild type strain. On the other hand, the other selected mutant strains (DS, M4-3) from colchicine treatment showed 20$\sim$30% faster cell growth than the wild type strain.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.327-333
• /
• 2009

Psoriasis is a well known disorder of keratinization. In this disease, several reports revealed that dermal micro vessels are increased and angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are over-expressed. Angiogenesis may play an important role in the progression of psoriasis. Acitretin is widely used as an anti-psoriatic drug because of its potent action on keratinocyte growth and differentiation, but its effects on angiogenesis are uncertain. The goal of this immunohistochemical study was to investigate the effects of acitretin on the expression of VEGF in psoriatic lesions of the skin. We compared the expression levels of VEGF between pre- and post-acitretin treated skin - 10 psoriatic skin lesions and 3 normal (control) skins. The expressions of VEGF in psoriatic skin lesions were significantly higher than in normal control skin. The expressions of VEGF in psoriatic skin lesions post-treatment were lower than those pre-treatment. Acitretin revealed inhibitory effects on angiogenesis by reducing the expression of angiogenic factors such as VEGF in psoriatic skin lesions. We suggest that acitretin may be useful in therapeutic approaches to psoriasis management, possibly related to angiogenesis.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.257-264
• /
• 2018

Osteopetrosis is characterized by impaired osteoclast function and increased bone density. Infantile osteopetrosis is a severe form of the disease and has characteristics such as diffusely sclerotic skeleton, pancytopenia, cranial nerve entrapment, infection susceptibility, and abnormal craniofacial appearance. Patients with infantile osteopetrosis often experience developmental delay, and may have a short life span. A 14-month-old girl with osteopetrosis presented to the department of pediatric dentistry. Incipient caries on deciduous incisors were observed. The patient revisited 4 years of age. Besides medical problems, oral complications such as growth retardation, narrow upper arch, crowding, dental caries, and abnormal tooth development were observed. After consultation with her pediatrician, dental treatments were performed on the deciduous molars under sedation after a prophylactic antibiotic injection. At a periodic follow-up, multiple deciduous teeth were treated and extracted, and oralrehabilitation with a removable partial denture was initiated. Patient with osteopetrosis are highly susceptible to infection because of their compromised immune system and problems associated with wound healing that lead to osteomyelitis or sepsis development. Active participation in dental care for sugar intake management and proper oral hygiene are obligatory.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.393-401
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Endotoxins in dust generated in occupational settings is known to contribute to the occurrence of respiratory illness among workers. The relationship between the level of endotoxins in total dust or respirable particulates collected from swine farms and immunological markers related with respiratory allergy was evaluated among swine husbandry workers. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from ten workers at ten swine farms at Gyeonggi province, Korea. Peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin for 48 hours. The levels of various cytokines produced at culture supernatants were determined using a commercially available ELISA kit. The concentration of particulate matter($PM_{10}$) in the indoor air of the swine farms was evaluated using a PVC membrane filter and mini volume air sampler, and endotoxin levels in the dust were measured by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate Kinetic QCL method. Results: Levels of endotoxins in the total dust were categorized into high(geometric mean: $109.35EU/m^3$) and low concentrations (geometric mean: $0.95EU/m^3$) for five swine farms. Interleukin-4 levels were higher in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group, while interferon-${\gamma}$ levels were lower in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. The ratio (interferon-${\gamma}$ to interleukin-4), indicating immunologic skewedness against allergic reactivities, was lower in the high endotoxin group($1.15{\pm}0.60$) than the low endotoxin group($3.09{\pm}2.38$). In addition, the level of interleukin-13, another cytokine contributing to the occurrence of allergic responses, was significantly higher in the at the high endotoxin group($1.12{\pm}0.37ng/m{\ell}$) than in the low endotoxin group($0.37{\pm}0.04ng/m{\ell}$). Hematologic assessment showed significantly lower cellularity in the number of total leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils in the high endotoxin group than in the low endotoxin group. Conclusions: Even though a sufficient number of swine workers and farms were not investigated, this study generlly suggests that the immunological function of swine farm workers exposed to high levels of endotoxin could be modulated toward allergic reactivities.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.99-108
• /
• 2013

Kefir is a unique fermented dairy product resulting from combined lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation of lactose in milk. Kefir is produced by the microbial activity of kefir grains. Kefir has numerous health benefits such as the reduction of cholesterol levels, stimulation of the immune system, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, and improvements of lactose intolerance. Furthermore, kefir is excellent as both a dietetic beverage and for protection against various diseases in small babies. Therefore, kefir has recently been regarded as an important functional dairy food. To date, the majority of research on kefir has focused on the applications of functional kefir using advanced biotechnology methods. The purpose of this review article is to facilitate the recognition of kefir as a novel functional food.