• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.589-599
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer is known as a conventional herbal medicine, and ginsenoside Rg1, a steroid glycoside, is one of its components. Although Rg1 has been proved to have an antiobesity effect, the mechanism of this effect and whether it involves adipose browning have not been elucidated. Methods: 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipocytes from mice were used to access the thermogenic effect of Rg1. Adipose mitochondria and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Protein level and mRNA of UCP1 were also evaluated by Western blotting and realtime polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Rg1 dramatically enhanced expression of brown adipocyte-especific markers, such as UCP1 and fatty acid oxidation genes, including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1. In addition, it modulated lipid metabolism, activated 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase, and promoted lipid droplet dispersion. Conclusions: Rg1 increases UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis in 3T3-L1 and subcutaneous white adipose cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice. We suggest that Rg1 exerts its antiobesity effects by promoting adipocyte browning through activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway.

• ALGAE
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.57-70
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• 2019

DNA metabarcoding is currently used for large-scale taxonomic identification to understand the community composition in various marine ecosystems. However, before being widely used in this emerging field, this experimental and analytic approach still has several technical challenges to overcome, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) bias, and lack of well-established metabarcoding markers, a task which is difficult but not impossible to achieve. In this study, we present an adapted PCR-free small-organelles enriched metagenomics (SoEM) method for marine biodiversity assessment. To avoid PCR bias and random artefacts, we extracted target DNA sequences without PCR amplification from marine environmental samples enriched with small organelles including mitochondria and plastids because their genome sequences provide a valuable source of molecular markers for phylogenetic analysis. To experimentally enrich small organelles, we performed subcellular fractionation using modified differential centrifugation for marine environmental DNA samples. To validate our SoEM method, two marine environmental samples from the coastal waters were tested the taxonomic capturing capacity against that of traditional DNA metabarcoding method. Results showed that, regardless of taxonomic levels, at least 3-fold greater numbers of taxa were identified in our SoEM method, compared to those identified by the conventional multi-locus DNA metabarcoding method. The SoEM method is thus effective and accurate for identifying taxonomic diversity and presents a useful alternative approach for evaluating biodiversity in the marine environment.

• 한국임상보건과학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.1436-1443
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to differences in the expression rate of Porphyromonas gingivalis according to smoking status, smoking amount and period of smoking. Methods: At the time of investigation, 30 smokers and non-smokers were recruited among patients with periodontitis with a probing pocket depth(PPD) of 4 mm or more. General information was collected using a self-questionnaire, and the average value was used by a dentist to measure the probing pocket depth of three times each for the first or second molar. Plaque collection and analysis were performed by collecting only subgingival plaque using a conventional method, and the expression rate of P. gingivalis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For statistical analysis, the SPSS Ver 25.0 program was used. Results: Smoking did not have a significant effect on the expression of P. gingivalis, but it did affect the expression of more type II genotypes (p<0.05). In addition, smokers had more slight periodontal pocket, and the amount and duration of smoking did not affect the expression of P. gingivalis. Conclusions: In the future, it is necessary to reinforce the group of smokers and non-smokers with healthy oral conditions, and to investigate the quantitative difference in the expression rate and genotype of P. gingivalis over time of harmful substances in smoking.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.559-573
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• 2023

Shiga toxin (Stxs)-producing enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 are major causative agents of severe bloody diarrhea (known as hemorrhagic colitis) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) associated with extraintestinal complications such as acute renal failure and neurologic impairment in infected patients under 9 years of age. Extreme nephrotoxicity of Stxs in HUS patients is associated with severe outcomes, highlighting the need to develop technologies to detect low levels of the toxin in environmental or food samples. Currently, the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or immunoassay is the most broadly used assay to detect the toxin. However, these assays are laborious, time-consuming, and costly. More recently, numerous studies have described novel, highly sensitive, and portable methods for detecting Stxs from EHEC. To contextualize newly emerging Stxs detection methods, we briefly explain the basic principles of these methods, including lateral flow assays, optical detection, and electrical detection. We subsequently describe existing and newly emerging rapid detection technologies to identify and measure Stxs.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제21권8호
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• pp.1018-1023
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has reached global pandemic status as announced by the World Health Organization, which currently recommends reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the standard diagnostic tool. However, although the RT-PCR test results may be found negative, there are cases that are found positive for COVID-19 pneumonia on computed tomography (CT) scan. CT is also useful in assessing the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia. When clinicians desire a CT scan of a patient with COVID-19 to monitor treatment response, a safe method for patient transport is necessary. To address the engagement of medical resources necessary to transport a patient with COVID-19, our institution has implemented the use of mobile CT. Therefore, we report two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia evaluated by using mobile cone-beam CT. Although mobile cone-beam CT had some limitations regarding its image quality such as scatter noise, motion and streak artifacts, and limited field of view compared with conventional multi-detector CT, both cases had acceptable image quality to establish the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. We report the usefulness of mobile cone-beam CT in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.219-225
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• 2015

The primary step for efficient control of viral diseases is the development of simple, rapid, and sensitive virus detection. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) has been used to detect viral RNA molecules because of its simplicity and high sensitivity for a number of viruses. RT-LAMP for the detection of Potato virus X (PVX) was developed and compared with conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to demonstrate its advantages over RT-PCR. RT-LAMP reactions were conducted with or without a set of loop primers since one out of six primers showed PVX specificity. Based on real-time monitoring, RT-LAMP detected PVX around 30 min, compared to 120 min for RT-PCR. By adding a fluorescent reagent during the reaction, the extra step of visualization by gel electrophoresis was not necessary. RT-LAMP was conducted using simple inexpensive instruments and a regular incubator to evaluate whether RNA could be amplified at a constant temperature instead of using an expensive thermal cycler. This study shows the potential of RT-LAMP for the diagnosis of viral diseases and PVX epidemiology because of its simplicity and rapidness compared to RT-PCR.

• 한국균학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.103-107
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• 2016

본 연구는 국내 주요 식물검역관리 대상 Phytophthora pinifolia를 대상으로 신속하고 정확한 병원균 종동정 및 검출을 위해 Ypt1 유전자 염기서열을 활용하여 제작된 종 특이적 분석용 분자마커와 다양한 PCR 기법을 활용하여 병원균들에 대한 다양한 검출기술의 표준화 및 최적 검출 시스템 구축을 통하여 실제 검역검역 현장에서 활용 가능한 병원균 존재여부의 신속, 정확한 판별기법을 개발하고자 수행하였다. Ypt1 영역의 염기서열을 기초로 선발된 종 특이적 primer는 1~10 pg의 검출민감도를 가지며 193 bp의 종 특이적 PCR 증폭산물을 형성시켰다. 또한 선발된 종 특이적 primer의 종 특이성을 확인하기 위하여 국내 식물검역대상에 포함된 Phytophthora속 종들과 주요 식물병원균들을 대상으로 conventional PCR과 real-time PCR을 수행한 결과 목표로 한 P. pinifolia DNA에서만 특이적 PCR 증폭산물을 확인할 수 있었다. 선발된 종 특이적 primer에 대한 PCR의 검출 민감도를 확인했을 때 conventional PCR의 검출민감도는 1~10 pg이었다.

• 대한기계학회논문집A
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• 제34권12호
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• pp.1785-1791
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• 2010

중합효소 연쇄반응(PCR)을 수행하려면 세포 용해(cell lysis)와 DNA추출(DNA purification)과정이 포함된 시료 전처리 과정을 거쳐야 한다. 종래의 시료 전처리 과정은 계면활성제와 같은 세포용해 버퍼를 이용하거나 열 또는 전기적 방법으로 세포막 파열을 유도하여 세포벽을 깬 후에 잔여물 처리과정을 거쳐 DNA를 추출하게 된다. 본 연구에서는 마이크로 비드와 PDMS 기둥을 이용한 필터가 있는 시료 전처리용 바이오칩을 설계 및 제작하였다. 또한 제작된 바이오칩을 사용하여 $80^{\circ}C$에서 2분간 세포용해를 수행하고 DNA를 추출하였다. 칩에서 전처리과정을 거친 시료내의 DNA농도와 순도를 측정하고 DNA PCR과 겔 전기영동을 통해 시료 전처리용 바이오칩의 성능을 평가하였다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.493-496
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• 2016

Peach rosette mosaic virus (PRMV)는 1933년 복숭아에서 처음 보고되었으며, 복숭아, 자두, 블루베리, 민들레, 벚나무 등에 감염되는 식물바이러스이다. PRMV는 한국에서 보고된 적이 없으나, 식물검역에서 관리병(control viruses)으로 지정되어 있다. 이번 연구에서는 PRMV를 더욱 신속하고 특이적으로 진단하기 위하여 Loop-mediated isothermal amplification 분석법을 적용한 진단법을 개발하였다. LAMP 방법은 기존의 PCR 방법(RT-PCR 및 nested PCR)과 같은 검출 강도를 가지고 있다. 또한 LAMP 반응을 확인하기 위해 PRMV cDNA을 outer primer sets (Product size 264 bp)로 PCR 한 뒤, Pvu II (CAG/CTG) 제한효소를 처리하였다. 제한효소 처리 결과 2개의 digestion fragments (207 + 57 bp)가 확인되었다. PRMV의 LAMP 진단 방법은 관련 식물로부터 더욱 신속한 모니터링이 가능할 것으로 기대된다.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.76-86
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• 2020

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is damaging to the growth and quality of lettuce crops in Lanzhou, China. Recently, however, for the first time an isolate of lettuce necrotic yellows virus (LNYV) has been detected in lettuce crops in China, and there is concern that this virus may also pose a threat to lettuce production in China. Consequently, there is a need to develop a rapid and efficient detection method to accurately identify LNYV and CMV infections and help limit their spread. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays were developed to detect the nucleoprotein (N) and coat protein (CP) genes of LNYV and CMV, respectively. RT-LAMP amplification products were visually assessed in reaction tubes separately using green fluorescence and gel electrophoresis. The assays successfully detected both viruses in infected plants without cross reactivity recorded from either CMV or LNYV or four other related plant viruses. Optimum LAMP reactions were conducted in betaine-free media with 6 mM Mg²⁺ at 65℃ for LNYV and 60℃ for 60 min for CMV, respectively. The detection limit was 3.5 pg/ml and 20 fg/ml using RT-LAMP for LNYV and CMV plasmids, respectively. Detection sensitivity for both RT-LAMP assays was greater by a factor of 100 compared to the conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. This rapid, specific, and sensitive technique should be more widely applied due to its low cost and minimal equipment requirements.