• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the clinical features and determinants of macrolide-unresponsive Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MUMP) and to assess the differences in the time to fever resolution between doxycycline (DXC), tosufloxacin (TFX) and corticosteroid (CST) as second-line treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients under the age of 18 who were admitted to Nowon Eulji University Hospital between July 2018 and February 2020, diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia. Macrolide resistance was confirmed by detecting point mutations in the 23S rRNA gene. MUMP was clinically defined by persistent fever (≥38.0℃) lasting for 72 hours or more after the initiation of macrolide treatment. In cases of MUMP, patients were treated with an addition of CST, or the initial macrolide was replaced either DXC or TFX. Results: Out of 157 cases of mycoplasma pneumonia, 83 cases (52.9%) did not respond to macrolides. Patients with MUMP exhibited significantly higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (3.2±3.0 vs. 2.4±2.2 mg/dL, P=0.047), more frequent lobar/segmental infiltrations or pleural effusions (56.6% vs. 27.0%, P<0.001; 6.0% vs. 0.0%, P=0.032), and a higher prevalence of 23S rRNA gene mutations (96.4% vs. 64.6%, P<0.001) when compared to those with macrolide-susceptible M. pneumoniae pneumonia. In terms of second-line treatment, 15 patients (18.1%) responded to CST, 30 (36.1%) to DXC, and 38 (45.8%) to TFX. The time to defervescence (TTD) after initiation second-line treatment was significantly shorter in the CST group compared to the DXC (10.3±12.7 vs. 19.4±17.2 hours, P=0.003) and TFX groups (10.3±12.7 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.043), with no significant difference observed between the DXC and TFX groups (19.4±17.2 vs. 25.0±20.1 hours, P=0.262). Conclusions: High CRP levels, the presence of positive 23S rRNA gene mutation, lobar or segmental lung infiltration, and pleural effusion observed in chest X-ray findings were significant factors associated with macrolide unresponsiveness. In this study, CST demonstrated a shorter TTD compared to DXC or TFX. Further, larger-scale prospective studies are needed to determine the optimal second-line treatment for MUMP.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.510-521
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• 2003

Background : The surfactant specific proteins, SP-B and SP-C are believed to be important regulators of the surfactant function and homeostasis. Since acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) is usually viewed as the functional and morphological expression of a similar underlying lung injury caused by a variety of insults, and since abnormalities in the surfactant function have been described in ARDS, the authors investigated the different effects of endotoxin and thiourea on the accumulation of mRNA encoding SP-B and SP-C. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were given 5 mg/kg of an intraperitoneal endotoxin from Salmonella enteritidis and 3.5 mg/kg intraperitoneal thiourea and were sacrificed at different time periods. Results : 1. The SP-B mRNA levels 6 and 24 hours after the 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment was significantly reduced by 26.1% and 50%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.001). 2. The SP-B mRNA levels 24 hours after the 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment was reduced by 9.8% and 12.5%, respectively. 3. The SP-C mRNA levels 6 and 24 hours after the 5 mg/kg endotoxin treatment was significantly reduced by 38.7% and 53.6%, respectively(P<0.01, P<0.001). 4. The SP-C mRNA level 6 hours after the 3.5 mg/kg thiourea treatment was reduced by 22.8%(P<0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that the differential regulation of the hydrophobic surfactant proteins in vivo is evident, and suggest that the hydrophobic surfactant proteins might be differentially regulated during lung injury at different time periods without altering the lung wet to dry ratios. The mechanism of these alternations at the different time periods and the different kinds of etiology remain to be determined.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.468-473
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• 1996

The genome of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is composed of three RNA segments, S, M, and L RNA and the 5.0 kb M RNA encodes two glycoproteins Gl, G2 and NSm protein of unknown function. In an effort to investigate the function of the NSm protein, antibody was raised against NSm fusion protein overexpressed in Escherichia coli. This antibody was used to detect the NSm protein by using western blot analysis and electron microscopic observation after immunogold labelling. For the cloning of the NSm gene, total RNA extracted from a TSWV infected plant was used for cDNA synthesis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instead of going through time-consuming virus purification. A protein band specifically reacting to the NSm antibody was detected from TSWV inoculated plants. The NSm protein was detected in the cell wall fraction and in pellet from low speed centrifugation when the infected plant tissue was fractionated into 4 fractions. In the immuno-electron microscopic observation, gold particles were found around the plasmodesmata of infected plant tissue. These results suggest that the NSm protein of TSWV plays some role in cell-to-cell movement of this virus.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2019

[Purpose] The OPG/RANK/RANKL signaling is a new family of bone metabolism biomarkers belonging to the immune system. However, the bone metabolism response to long-term exercise in the RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling is less evident. The purpose of this study was to examine these biomarkers in healthy college females after 12-weeks combined exercise intervention. [Methods] Participants (N=22, 22.4±1.3yrs) were randomly divided in two different group: 12 in the control group and 10 in the exercise group performing combined exercise program that interventions was conducted 3 times per week for 12 weeks. The outcome measures included serum concentrations of RANKL, OPG and bone metabolic cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, and mRNA expressions of same variables from PBMC. VO_2max and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured at before and after exercise intervention. [Results] There were no significant differences in the serum RANKL, OPG concentrations and all RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling mRNA expression on interaction effect between group and time (NS). Also no significant differences were found in the serum TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations and mRNA expression (NS). The IL-6 mRNA expression only showed significant difference in the main effect of groups (p<.05). There were also no significant differences in the VO_2max and BMD on interaction effect between group and time (NS). [Conclusion] These results suggested that there were no effects on bone mineral density and RANKL/RANK/OPG signaling without the effect of 8-weeks combined exercise on cardiovascular endurance fitness.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.983-988
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between bovine casein (CN) mRNA expression levels in mammary epithelial cells and lactation period, the yields of milk proteins and other parameters. The cells were collected from each cow's milk, which contained somatic cell counts (SCC) of less than 100,000 cells/ml. The levels of ${\alpha}s1-$, ${\alpha}s2-$, ${\beta}$- and ${\kappa}$-CN mRNA expression were significantly correlated with each other in mammary epithelial cells (p<0.01). All cows produced either less than 30 kg/day/cow or a over 30 kg/day/cow level of milk yield (MY). It was shown that the CN mRNA expression levels decreased gradually from the calving period to late lactation, when MY was over 30 kg/day/cow. The SCC tended to increase gradually during the course of lactation, but it was negatively correlated with milk protein and CN yields (p<0.01) when MY was less than 30 kg/day/cow. Moreover, there was a tendency for a negative correlation between SCC and ${\alpha}s1$-CN and ${\beta}$-CN mRNA expression level, when MY was less than 30 kg/day/cow (p<0.05).

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2018

Seven bacterial strains, 15J4M-1, 15J13-8, 16MFM10, 15J1-8, SR1-5-4, 15J13-6, and 15J8-11 assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were isolated from soil samples collected from Jeju, Korea. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that strains 15J4M-1, 15J13-8, 16MFM10, 15J1-8, SR1-5-4, 15J13-6, and 15J8-11 were most closely related to Bacillus selenatarsenatis $SF-1^T$ (with 99.4% similarity), Brevibacterium luteolum $CF87^T$ (99.5%), Carnobacterium iners CCUG $62000^T$ (99.6%), Exiguobacterium profundum $10C^T$ (99.3%), Larkinella insperata LMG $22510^T$ (99.3%), Pseudokineococcus lusitanus CECT $7306^T$ (99.4%), and Spirosoma endophyticum $EX36^T$ (99.3%), respectively. This is the first report of these seven species in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.194-199
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• 1998

Bacterial diversity was determined by amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA at Tancheon and Jungrang in Han river. Twenty-seven clones constructed were divided 7 groups using RFLP. Fifteen clones were classified 4 groups in Tancheon and the group (HT-1 clone) including many clones was affiliated a high similarity with Aerobacter cryaerophilus (the class Proteobacteria including members of the delta subdivisions). The other two groups (HT-6 and HT-9 clone) including several clones were classified with the class Cytophagales in Tancheon. Twelve clones were classified 3 groups in Jungrang and the group (HJ-1 clone) including many clones was affiliated a high similarity with Sphingomonas sp. (the class Proteobacteria including members of the alpha subdivisions). As a whole results, the class Proteobacteria (alpha, beta and delta subdivision), the order Cytophagales, and the order Actinomycetales were detected.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2019

Cheongpyesagan-tang (CP) is one of the traditional medicinal prescription to treat Taeumin (太陰人)'s disease. It has been commonly used for the treatment of stroke, arthritis, diabetes and obesity. In this study, we investigated an anti-inflammatory potential of CP water extract. We examined the effects of CP on the lipopolysarccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). We also examined the levels of protein or mRNA of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and proinflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells. CP inhibited NO and $PGE_2$ production in a dose dependent manner and decreased the protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, CP decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$). These results suggest that CP has potential as anti-inflammatory therapeutic medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.337-344
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• 2018

Germinated brown rice (GBR, Orysa sartiva L.) has been reported to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects in adipocytes are not fully understood. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GBR on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pretreated with GBR extracts (0-20 mg/mL) 1 h before LPS stimulation. The mRNA expression of adipokines and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were measured by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of TLR4-related molecules were detected by western blotting and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) activation was measured. Our results showed that GBR extract dose-dependently inhibited mRNA expression of LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). GBR extract was found to inhibit LPS-induced mRNA expression of TLR4 and protein expression of both myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Furthermore, GBR extract significantly inhibited extracellular receptor-activated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation. These results suggest that GBR extract has the anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced inflammation via inhibition of TLR4 signaling, includingthe ERK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, in adipocytes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.807-816
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• 2005

The objective of the study was to observe the effect of n-3 PUFA on cell proliferation and apoptosis by determining mRNA and protein of COX-2 and eicosanoid product and the mRNA and protein of Bu and Bcl-2 related to apoptosis in colon carcinogenesis of 1,2- dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated rats. Ninety male Sprague Dawley rats weighing about 170g were divided into 3 groups, control and n-3 PUFA supplemented groups (FO group: 6.2 mmoles n-3 PUFA; 2FO group: 12.4 mmoles n-3 PUFA) and fed experimental diet for 14 weeks. All rats were intramuscularly injected with DMH 15 mg/kg twice a week for 6 weeks to deliver total dose of 180 mg/kg body weight. Compared with the control group, 6.2 mmoles n-3 PUFA significantly reduced the levels of mRNA and protein expression of COX-2 and 2-series eicosanoids ($TXB_{2}$ and $PGE_{2}$) and decreased cell proliferation in colonic mucosa. However, high levels of n-3 PUFA supplementation significantly increased the levels of mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, TXB2 and PGE2. and increased cell proliferation which was similar level to that of control group. Compared with the control group, n-3 PUFA, regardless of the amount, significantly increased apoptotic index in colonic mucosa. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the levels of mRNA and protein expression of Bax were significantly increased by 6.2 mmoles n-3 PUFA, but decreased by 12.4 mmoles n-3 PUFA. The analyses also showed the levels of mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 were significantly reduced by 6.2 mmoles n-3 PUFA, but increased by 12.4 mmoles n-3 PUFA. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in mRNA and protein was significantly reduced by 6.2 mmoles n-3 PUFA but increased by 12.4 mmoles n-3 PUFA. Overall, these results indicate that n-3 PUFA could be effective in preventing colon carcinogenesis by reducing cell proliferation with lower level of COX-2 and 2-series eicosanoid, and increasing apoptosis by inducing pro-apoptotic gene, Bax and inhibiting anti-apoptotic gene, Bcl-2 in the colonic mucosa of DMH-treated rats. However, high level of n-3 PUFA supplementation could stimulate colon carcinogenesis by increasing cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. (Korean J Nutrition 38(10): 807$\sim$816,2005)