• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.703-709
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Extended-spectrum ${\beta}$-lactamase (ESBL) gene and quinolone resistance determinant (qnr) and the pattern of antibiotic resistance in the ESBL-producing Escherichia coli clinical isolates. The 42 ESBL-producing strains from total 274 isolates were detected using a double disk synergy test. They were isolated from various specimens, such as urine (28 strains), sputum (6 strains), pus (3 strains), wound (2 strains), blood (2 strains), and tissue (1 strain). Using the PCR with the specific primers ESBL, ESBL and qnr gene types were determined. Thirty-five strains possessed one or two ESBL genes. CTX-M-1 type was the most abundant followed by CTX-M-9 type and TEM, but SHV, CTX-M-2, and CTX-M-8 gene types were not detected. qnr gene types were detected from ten isolates in the order of qnrB4, qnrB1, and qnrS. Coexistence of ESBL and qnr genes was found. ESBL-producing isolates showed high resistance against some antibiotics, such as cefotaxmie (80.0%), levofloxacin (82.9%), and ampicillin (100%). Neither a synergy effect from the coexistence of ESBL and qnr genes on antibiotic resistance nor a correlation between the production of qnr gene and quinolone resistance were found.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.762-769
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• 2022

Genetic testing in prenatal diagnosis is a precious tool providing valuable information in clinical management and parental decision-making. For the last year, cytogenetic testing methods, such as G-banding karyotype analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization, chromosomal microarray, and gene panels have evolved to become part of routine laboratory testing. However, the limitations of each of these methods demonstrate the need for a revolutionary technology that can alleviate the need for multiple technologies. The recent introduction of new genomic technologies based on next-generation sequencing has changed the current practice of prenatal testing. The promise of these innovations lies in the fast and cost-effective generation of genome-scale sequence data with exquisite resolution and accuracy for prenatal diagnosis. Here, we review the current state of sequencing-based pediatric diagnostics, associated challenges, as well as future prospects.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2024

This study was performed to survey the distribution of Listeria spp. in fresh agricultural products in the Busan area, the Republic of Korea, from January to November 2022. We investigated the pathogenicity and epidemiological relationships by tracing isolated strains using polymerase chain reaction and pulsed-field gel electro-phoresis (PFGE) methods. Forty cases of Listeria spp. were detected in the 210 samples of fresh agricultural products analyzed. Four species, Listeria rocourtiae, L. innocua, L. grayi, and L. monocytogenes were detected only in green vegetables (lettuce, perilla leaps) and the others (L. innocua, L. monocytogenes, and L. grayi) were detected in enoki and oyster mushrooms. L. innocua was detected in 22 samples and L. grayi in six samples. L. monocytogenes, which causes foodborne diseases, was only detected in enoki mushrooms and the strains that were isolated had genes responsible for the pathogenicity of listeriosis (iap, prfA, inlA, inlC, inlJ, and hly). To investigate the genetic similarity and contamination route of L. monocytogenes, serotyping and PFGE were conducted for 12 strains isolated from fresh agricultural (10 strains) and poultry (2 strains) products distributed at a market in the Busan area. Two serotypes (1/2a, 1/2b) were detected in strains isolated from the agricultural and poultry products, but serotype 1/2b was only detected in strains isolated from agricultural products. PFGE analysis showed index of similarity values of 45.7 to 100% and the same patterns were represented in isolates from some enoki mushrooms. These isolates had the same serotypes and showed significant epidemiological relationships.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.10
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• pp.1068-1075
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• 2005

Purpose : The role of ghrelin, which promotes the secretion of growth hormone, was not well known until now. Recently it was found that the mutation of ghrelin gene is related to obesity and diabetes. This study is to find the screening method that can easily and effectively detect the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity patients and apply it to clinical usage. Methods : We compared PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS methodologies for analyzing of the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene of obesity children, and also studied the merits and demerits of these methodologies. Results : In this study, we were able to find out the band of peculiar allele of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene using PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses. The polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene determined by all above methodologies was in complete agreement. Compared to the PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP, ARMS analysis is simple, inexpensive and also consume less time. It is very sensitive to analyze the polymorphism and easy to understand the results of test. Conclusion : Though PCR-RFLP, PCR-SSCP and ARMS analyses were sensitive to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene, ARMS analysis appears to be more efficient than PCR-RFLP and PCR-SSCP. Therefore, we conclude that ARMS analysis is suitable to analyze the polymorphism of Leu72Met in ghrelin gene for large quantity of specimens.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.179-191
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• 2001

Objectives：This study evaluated the association between behavioral characteristics and polymorphisms in DAT1, DRD2, DRD3, and DRD4 genes. Methods：The subjects were 114 neonates, who were born by normal spontaneous vaginal delivery and had no physical problems. The behavioral characteristics were evaluated using Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale(NBAS) at $17.8{\pm}7.0$ hours after their birth to minimize environmental influences, and cord blood was used to analyze the gene polymorphisms. Results：In comparison to DAT1 gene 10/10 genotype group(N=93), other genotype group(N=19) showed significantly high NBAS scores on social-interaction, state organization, and state regulation. DRD2 gene Ser311/Cys311, TaqI A, and TaqI B polymorphisms showed no significant differences on NBAS scores when they were grouped by genotypes. DRD3 gene polymorphism and DRD4 gene promotor polymorphism showed no significant difference on NBAS scores when they were grouped by genotypes. In comparison to the short repeats(N=102), long repeats(N=10) in DRD4 gene showed significantly high habituation score of NBAS. Conclusion：These results suggest that the genetic effects of the neonatal behavioral characteristics may be mediated via DAT1 and DRD4 genes.

• The Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.5 s.372
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• pp.68-73
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• 2000

10여년간에 걸쳐 30억달러의 자금이 투입된 인간게놈계획사업(genome project)은 유전자의 배열상태를 우선 밝히는 역사적인 작업을 마무리했다. 2000년 3월 14일에는 클린턴 미국대통령과 블레어 영국수상이 그동안의 인간게놈계획의 연구결과를 전 세계 과학자들에게 무료로 공개한다고 발표하여 세계과학자들의 기대를 부풀게 했다. 그러나 30억 이상의 유전정보를 해독하는 사업은 이제 겨우 시작에 지나지 않다는 것도 사실이다. 인간게놈의 배열을 가려내는 것은 사전으로 비유할 때 모든 낱말의 알람표를 만들었을 뿐이며 그 낱말들(배열)이 무슨 뜻을 갖고 있는 것인지 밝히는 일은 지금부터 풀어야 할 과제이다. 세계 주요 의약계는 먼저 인간게놈에 내포된 10만개 이상의 유전자가 어떤 기능을 갖고 있는가 해독하는데 필요한 툴(연장)을 고안하여 유전자에서 얻는 지식을 이용하여 신약을 개발하는 불꽃튀는 경쟁에 뛰어 들었다. 그러나 이것은 간단한 일이 아니다. 신약개발에는 평균 15년이란 오랜 세월이 걸리고 당초의 유효성분의 발견이 약으로써 상품화되는 비율은 5% 이하다. 잠재적인 신약후보는 독성부작용을 알아보기 위해 동물을 이용한 생물학적 검사와 수년간에 걸친 인간에 대한 임상실험을 거쳐야 한다. 아무리 게놈기술이 탁월하다고 해도 이 과정을 단축시킬 방법이 없다. 그러나 게놈프로젝트의 열매가 우리의 의학 및 약학발전사에 중대한 이정표를 세울 것만은 틀림없다. 세계의 대표적인 연구기관을 통해 2050년까지의 의약발전상을 미리 내다본다.

• 대한임상약리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.12a
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• pp.14-15
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• 2002

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2016

Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial nematode parasite that causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in dogs. The purpose of this study was the development of real-time PCR assays for efficient detection of D. immitis. The D. immitis-specific primers confirmed in our previous study and a newly designed TaqMan probe were used for quantitative diagnostics. First, SYBR Green real-time PCR was performed using the specific primers and serially diluted genomic DNA or plasmid DNA, and melting curve analyses were performed after amplification. The melting curve showed one specific peak in each of the genomic and plasmid DNA reactions, suggesting that the primers specifically amplify the D. immitis cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Comparison of SYBR Green and TaqMan real-time PCR using serially diluted plasmid DNA showed higher efficiency and specificity with TaqMan real-time PCR. The real-time PCR assays developed in this study will provide improved diagnostic methods to overcome the limitations of conventional diagnostic tools and facilitate more rapid and accurate diagnoses.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2018

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), but the genes associated with the host immune system can be attributed to the development of TB. The ITGB2 gene encodes the integrin beta 2 chain CD18 protein and is present on chromosome 21. The integrin beta 2 chain is an integrin expressed in leukocytes and plays a very important role in leukocyte maturation and attachment. ITGB2 plays an important role in the phagocytosis of MTB and the aggregation of leukocytes in MTB infections. This study examined the genetic polymorphisms of the ITGB2 gene between the TB case and normal control using Korean genomic and epidemiologic data. As a result, a statistically significant correlation was confirmed in 10 SNPs. The most significant SNP was rs113421921 (OR=0.69, CI: 0.53~0.90, $P=5.8{\times}10^{-3}$). In addition, rs173098, one of the significant 10 SNPs, is possibly located in a binding motif with the transcription factor cofactor p300, and can affect ITGB2 gene expression. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of TB may be influenced by a range of genetic factors related to the immune function of the host, e.g., the reactions associated with the recruitment and attachment of leukocytes. The results of this study could be used to predict the infection control for tuberculosis in a patient-tailored manner.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.323-328
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• 2019

Tuberculosis, a chronic bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), differs in its status latency and activity because of the characteristics of MTB, immune status of the host, and genetic susceptibility. The host defense mechanism against MTB is caused mainly by interactions between macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells. CD44 is expressed in activated T cells when infected with MTB and regulates lymphocyte migration. In addition, CD44 mediates leukocyte adhesion to the ECM and plays a role in attracting macrophages and $CD4^+$ T cells to the lungs. Therefore, genetic polymorphism of the CD44 gene will inhibit the host cell immune mechanisms against MTB. This study examined whether the genetic polymorphism of the CD44 gene affects the susceptibility of tuberculosis. A total of 237 SNPs corresponding to the CD44 genes were analyzed using the genotype data of 443 tuberculosis cases and 3,228 healthy controls from the Korean Association Resource (KARE). Of these, 17 SNPs showed a significant association with the tuberculosis case. The most significant SNP was rs75137824 (OR=0.231, CI: 1.51~3.56, $P=1.3{\times}10^{-4}$). In addition, rs10488809, one of the 17 significant SNPs, is important for the tuberculosis outbreak can bind to the JUND and FOS transcription factors and can affect CD44 gene expression. This study suggests that polymorphism of the CD44 gene modulates the host susceptibility to tuberculosis in a variety of ways, resulting in differences in the status of tuberculosis.