• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.40-53
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• 2019

Of the Acinetobacter spp., A. baumannii (genospecies 2) is the most clinically significant in terms of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. It is difficult to perform Acinetobacter-related taxonomy using phenotypic characteristics and routine laboratory methods owing to clusters of closely related species. The ability to accurately identify Acinetobacter spp. is clinically important because antimicrobial susceptibility and clinical relevance differs significantly among the different genospecies. Based on the medical importance of pathogenic Acinetobacter spp., the distribution and characterization of Acinetobacter spp. isolates from 123 clinical samples was determined in the current study using four typically applied bacterial identification methods; partial rpoB gene sequencing, amplified rRNA gene restriction analysis (ARDRA) of the intergenic transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the 16~23S rRNA, the $VITEK^{(R)}$ 2 system (an automated microbial identification system) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). A. baumannii isolates (74.8%, 92/123) were the most common species, A. nosocomialis (10.6%, 13/123) and A. pittii isolates (7.5%, 9/123) were second and third most common strains of the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii (ACB) complex, respectively. A. soli (5.0%, 6/123) was the most common species of the non-ACB complex. RpoB gene sequencing and ARDRA of the ITS region were demonstrated to lead to more accurate species identification than the other methods of analysis used in this study. These results suggest that the use of rpoB genotyping and ARDRA of the ITS region is useful for the species-level identification of Acinetobacter isolates.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제42권2호
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• pp.97-102
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• 2010

The two new female cases of Angelman syndrome (AS) were described, which diagnosed on the basis of clinical features (dysmorphic facial features, severe mental retardation with absent speech, peculiar jerky movements, ataxic gait and paroxysms of inappropriate laughter) and neurophysiological findings. Failure to detect the deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 or the absence of epileptic seizure were not considered sufficient to exclude a diagnosis of AS. Feeding problems, developmental delay and early signs of ataxia, especially tremor on handling objects and unstable posture when seated, proved effective as the clinical markers for early diagnosis of AS. Most of the authors agreed about the existence of three main EEG patterns in AS which may appear in isolation or in various combinations in the same patient. The most frequently observed pattern in children has prolonged runs of high amplitude rhythmic 2-3 Hz activity predominantly over the frontal region with superimposed interictal epileptiform discharges. High amplitude rhythmic 4-6 Hz activity, prominent in the occipital regions, with spikes, which can be facilitated by eye closure, is often seen in children under the age of 12 years. The EEG findings are characteristic of AS when seen in the appropriate clinical context and can be helpful to identify AS patients at an early age when genetic counselling may be particularly important.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.223-229
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• 2017

Fungal infections by human pathogenic fungi are increasing globally in elderly, children and immune suppressed or deficient patients. Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the well-known pathogenic fungi and causes aspergilloses in human world widely. However, current identification and classification methods based on its phenotypic characteristics still have limitations. Therefore, currently, molecular biological tools using their DNA sequences are used for genotype identification and classification. In the present study, in order to analyze genetic variations of A. fumigatus clinical isolates, a total of six housekeeping genes were amplified by PCR using specific primer pairs and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) assay. Results from phylogenetic tree analysis showed that most A. fumigatus strains (88.9%) from respiratory specimens were classified into cluster A and B, and approximately half of A. fumigatus strains (46%) from non-respiratory specimens were classified into cluster C and D. Although the sample size was limited, genetic characteristics of A. fumigatus clinical isolates according to their origins were very similar and well-correlated with other clinical data.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.188-193
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• 2015

경동맥 내중막 두께는 뇌혈관질환과 관상동맥질환을 정밀하게 측정하는 검사이다. 많은 선행논문에 따르면 경동맥 내중막 두께는 죽상동맥경화를 예측하고 심혈관질환의 위험인자와 연관성이 높으며, 심근경색이나 뇌졸중 발생 위험을 예측할 수 있는 독립인자로 연구되었다. 따라서 본 연구는 혈액검사 중 임상화학적 검사결과와의 상관관계 연구를 통해 경동맥 내중막 두께와 다른 독립인자를 확보하는 것이 목적이었다. 연구결과 피험자의 부족으로 인해 심혈관계관련 임상화학적 요인과는 상관관계를 입증하지 못했으나, 경동맥 내중막 두께와 ALT (p<0.05), GGT (p<0.05), Uric acid (p<0.05), CEA (p<0.05)와 양의 상관관계를 통계적인 유의수준으로 입증하여 지속적인 연구의 문제를 제기하였다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권8호
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• pp.1132-1141
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• 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an increasing global burden and a predisposing factor to colorectal cancer. Although a number of treatment options are available, the side effects could be considerable. Studies on fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as an IBD intervention protocol require further validation as the underlying mechanisms for its attenuating effects remain unclear. This study aims to demonstrate the ameliorative role of FMT in an ulcerative colitis (UC) model induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and elucidate its relative mechanisms in a mouse model. It was shown that FMT intervention decreased disease activity index (DAI) levels and increased the body weight, colon weight and colon length of experimental animals. It also alleviated histopathological changes, reduced key cytokine expression and oxidative status in the colon. A down-regulated expression level of genes associated with NF-κB signaling pathway was also observed. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed that FMT intervention restored the gut microbiota to the pattern of the control group by increasing the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreasing the abundances of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. The relative abundances of the genera Lactobacillus, Butyricicoccus, Lachnoclostridium, Olsenella and Odoribacter were upregulated but Helicobacter, Bacteroides and Clostridium were reduced after FMT administration. Furthermore, FMT administration elevated the concentrations of SCFAs in the colon. In conclusion, FMT intervention could be suitable for UC control, but further validations via clinical trials are recommended.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.249-255
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• 2023

Transporting clinical samples for microbiological testing requires a proper transport medium that guarantees the survival of microorganisms. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the ability of Amies Transport Medium (ATM) to maintain the viability of microorganisms in clinical specimens and its suitability as a transport medium for microbiological testing. This study evaluated the performance of swab provided by KS Co., Ltd. for three groups of bacteria comprising aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria, and fastidious bacteria, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) 8.11.2. The ATM stability test was conducted by dividing the medium into two groups based on the product expiration date of use. All tested media, A and B (the date of manufacture and expiration date are different) showed ≥5 CFU, and there was no significant difference in the result values of Category A and Category B with different serial numbers for each test. The results of this experiment when cross-checked with the guidelines suggest that ATM is a suitable transport medium for microbiological testing, as it maintains the viability of microorganisms and is suitable for overgrowth trials. In addition, compared to the number of CFUs at the origin, the number of CFUs did not increase by more than 1 log after storage. These results have important implications for the development of transport media that can guarantee the survival of microorganisms in clinical specimens.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권3호
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• pp.320-330
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• 2018

본 연구는 임상병리사의 3년제 교육과정, 4년제 교육과정, 임상실습현황, 해외 교육과정 및 실습을 조사 분석하여 급변하는 우리나라의 임상병리분야에 대처할 수 있는 정책의 기초 자료를 제공하고자 하였다. 교육커리큘럼의 분석은 3년제 25개 대학 및 4년제 25개 대학의 2017학년도 기준 교육과정을 요청하여 전수 조사하였다. 임상실습은 설문조사를 실시하여 대학 76건, 산업체 1142건을 분석하였다. 교육과정의 분석결과 3년제 대학의 교육과정은 임상병리사 국가시험위주의 교육과정의 편성을 파악할 수 있었으며, 4년제 교육과정은 미래변화를 반영한 과목이 다양하게 개설되어 있었지만 일부 대학에 불과했다. 또한, 자율적인 수강신청으로 전공과목 중 학생들이 어렵게 여기는 과목에 대해서는 수강하지 않고서도 국가시험을 볼 수 있는 문제점이 발견되었다. 임상실습의 경우 다양한 실습기관과 실습시기, 실습학점으로 현실적으로 표준화가 어려운 것이 실정이었다. 실무중심의 교육을 위하여 교내실습교육도 강화되어야 하겠지만, 현장에서의 실무교육 또한 중요하므로 임상실습의 기간과 교육시간에 따른 학점의 편성이 표준화되고, 적절하게 산출되어야 할 필요가 있을 것이다. 임상병리사 직무분석 및 임상현장을 고려하여 현장실무형 교육과정 개정이 필요하며, 이는 임상병리사평가원을 통해 교육과정과 임상실습모델의 표준화 작업이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권6호
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• pp.759-768
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• 2016

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) treatment urgently requires a novel drug. The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of Ser/Thr protein kinases, but still have to be characterized in Echinococcus granulosus. We identified a 1,107 bp cDNA encoding a 368 amino acid MAPK protein (Egp38) in E. granulosus. Egp38 exhibits 2 distinguishing features of p38-like kinases: a highly conserved T-X-Y motif and an activation loop segment. Structural homology modeling indicated a conserved structure among Egp38, EmMPK2, and H. sapiens $p38{\alpha}$, implying a common binding mechanism for the ligand domain and downstream signal transduction processing similar to that described for $p38{\alpha}$. Egp38 and its phosphorylated form are expressed in the E. granulosus larval stages vesicle and protoscolices during intermediate host infection of an intermediate host. Treatment of in vitro cultivated protoscolices with the p38-MAPK inhibitor ML3403 effectively suppressed Egp38 activity and led to significant protoscolices death within 5 days. Treatment of in vitro-cultivated protoscolices with $TGF-{\beta}1$ effectively induced Egp38 phosphorylation. In summary, the MAPK, Egp38, was identified in E. granulosus, as an anti-CE drug target and participates in the interplay between the host and E. granulosus via human $TGF-{\beta}1$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권24호
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• pp.10643-10646
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• 2015

Background: To study the relationship between mammographic findings and clinical/pathologic features in women with 1-15mm sized invasive breast cancer. Materials and Methods: We investigated a consecutive series of 134 cases diagnosed in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital in 2007. Mammographic findings were classified into five groups as follows :1) stellate mass without calcification; 2) non-stellate mass without calcification; 3) intermediate suspicious calcification with or without associated mass; 4) higher probability malignant calcification with or without associated mass; 5) focal asymmetry/distortion without associated calcification. Associations between mammographic and clinical/pathological features (menopause status/family history/histologic grade/lymph node status and ER/PR/HER2 status) was analyzed through logistic regression and chi square tests. Results: Compared to the stellate mass without calcification group, higher probability malignant calcification patients were associated significantly with a positive lymph node status, always presenting in patients who were non-menopausal and with a family history of carcinoma. Conclusions: Higher probability malignant calcifications with or without associated tumor masses are associated with clinical/pathologic features of poor prognosis.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.164-169
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• 2018

The development of teaching models to strengthen practical education and actively participate in the classes of students is now required in recent education situations. This study examined the participation and satisfaction level of students' classes after applying a teaching model-integrated hospital and school laboratory (named L2L). A total of 33 students who took the subject of a clinical microbiology experiments were involved in this study. Each group representative participating in a pre-class field exercise in the hospital microbiology laboratory was asked to conduct the experiment. After applying the L2L teaching models, the academic self-efficacy ($2.87{\pm}0.58{\rightarrow}3.38{\pm}0.55$), class participation ($2.60{\pm}0.92{\rightarrow}3.62{\pm}0.78$), and class satisfaction ($2.48{\pm}1.01{\rightarrow}3.85{\pm}0.87$) increased significantly (P<0.05). This means that pre-class field exercises created interest in the student's class and boosted self-confidence, leading to increased participation and satisfaction for the class. In conclusion, the L2L teaching model is an effective teaching method to enhance the practical training for preliminary clinical laboratory technologists.