• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 1994

Feces samples, obtained from zoo animals around Seoul, were examined for the isolation of Salmonella species, bioserotype and drug resistance for the prevention and treatment of salmonellosis, Salmonella spp were isolated 19(4.7%) from 408 samples of zoo animals. The subspecies in 19 Salmonella were all subspecies 1. The serological identification of Salmonella isolated were 31.6% in Sal typhimurium, 26.3% in Sal hadar, 21.1% in Sal muenchen, 15.8% in Sal enteritidis and 5.3% in Sal ayinde. The antibiotic resistance of Salmonella isolated were 13(68.4%) strains. The multiple resistant patterns of antibiotics in Salmonella were 2 drugs- and 3 drugs-resistance 30.8% respectively. The transferred rate of resistance to recipients(E coli ML 1410 $NA^r$) in Salmonella was 38.5%.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.371-376
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• 2009

In this article, we reviewed the literature on risk assessment (RA) models with and without molecular genomic markers and the current utility of the markers in the pharmacogenetic field. Epidemiological risk assessment is applied using statistical models and equations established from current scientific knowledge of risk and disease. Several papers have reported that traditional RA tools have significant limitations in decision-making in management strategies for individuals as predictions of diseases and disease progression are inaccurate. Recently, the model added information on the genetic susceptibility factors that are expected to be most responsible for differences in individual risk. On the continuum of health care, from diagnosis to treatment, pharmacogenetics has been developed based on the accumulated knowledge of human genomic variation involving drug distribution and metabolism and the target of action, which has the potential to facilitate personalized medicine that can avoid therapeutic failure and serious side effects. There are many challenges for the applicability of genomic information in a clinical setting. Current uses of genetic markers for managing drug therapy and issues in the development of a valid biomarker in pharmacogenetics are discussed.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.107-117
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• 2008

1. Objective The aim of this study was to survey the adverse reactions by the prescriptions of Soeumin.Soyangin and to compare the tendency of their symptoms according to Sasang constitutional type. 2. Methods The clinical data for this study were based on the medical records of total 91 cases collected from an oriental clinic during 1996-2004. Their constitutional types were diagnosed by a specialist and then confirmed by drug reactions. To evaluate reliability of the analysis, we only analysed the cases above grade C. The target prescriptions were Palmulgunja-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Hyangsayangwi-tang, Ijung-tang, Hyeongbangsabaek-san, Jeoryeongchajeonja-tang, Yanggyeoksanhwa-tang, Yangdokbaekho-tang and the sorts of Jihwang-tang. 3. Results and Conclusion The prescriptions which were not suitable for their Sasang constitutional type induced indigestion, stomachache and evacuation troubles basically. Besides, the prescriptions of Soeumin caused some fever of the upper body and skin on Taeeumin and Soyangin. And the prescriptions of Soyangin lead to more severe digestive and evacuation troubles on Taeeumin and Soeumin. 4. Conclusion: This study need to be compensated by additional clinical studies which are more systematic and continuous. This way we can make the firm evidence for approving the difference of drug susceptibility according to the Sasang constitutional type.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.619-624
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• 2005

Background : The drug resistance rate in tuberculosis patients with history of chemotherapy is an important indicator of for evaluation of appropriateness of treatment regimens and compliance of patients. This study examined the long-term changes in the drug resistance rates among TB patients failed in treatment or reactivated. Methods : The results of drug susceptibility testing data from patients registered in health centers from 1981 to 2004 were analyzed. Results : The rate of resistance to isoniazid decreased from 90% to 20%, and the resistance to ethambutol decreased from 45% to 6%. The rate of resistance to rifampicin varied from 13% to 28% and the resistance to pyrazinamide was 5% to 10%. Multidrug resistance was about 2-3% lower than any rifampicin resistance rates. The second-line drug resistance was ranged from 1% to 3%. There was no difference between patients' genders. Patient numbers per 100,000 population increased with age. The regional distribution was even at 4-6 patients per 100,000 population, and drug resistance rates were significantly lower in big city areas than in small towns and rural areas. Conclusion : The rates of resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from TB patients with history of chemotherapy to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and isoniazid plus rifampin were significantly decreased during over two decades.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.150-155
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• 2007

In the present study, we have tested the effect of dioleoyl phosphatidic acid (PA) on intracellular $Ca_{2+}$ concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$) in two human colon cancer cell lines (HCT116 and HT29). PA and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive lysolipid, increased $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ in both HCT116 and HT29 cell lines. Increases of $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ by PA and LPA were more robust in HCT116 cells than in HT29 cells. A specific inhibitor of phospholipase C (U73122), however, was not inhibitory to the cell responses. Pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor of $G_{i/o}$ type G proteins, however, had an inhibitory effect on the responses except for an LPA-induced one in HT29 cells. Ruthenium red, an inhibitor of the ryanodine receptor, was not inhibitory on the responses, however, 2-APB, a specific inhibitor of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor, completely inhibited both lipid-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increases in both cell types. Furthermore, by using Ki16425 and VPC32183, two structurally dissimilar specific antagonists for $LPA_{1}/LPA_{3}$ receptors, an involvement of endogenous LPA receptors in the $Ca^{2+}$ responses was observed. Ki16425 completely inhibited the responses but the susceptibility to VPC32183 was different to PA and LPA in the two cell types. Expression levels of five LPA receptors in the HCT116 and HT29 cells were also assessed. Our data support the notion that PA could increase $[Ca^{2+}]_{i}$ in human colon cancer cells, probably via endogenous LPA receptors, G proteins and $IP_{3}$ receptors, thereby suggesting a role of PA as an intercellular lipid mediator.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.618-627
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• 1999

Background : Rifampicin (RFP) is a key component of the antituberculous short-course chemotherapy. Usually the RFP resistant M.tuberculosis is also resistant to isoniazid (INH), so the RFP resistance is the marker of multi-drug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis. But unusual cases of mono-RFP-resistant tuberculosis have been recently reported with increasing frequency, especially associated with HIV infection in western countries. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective study to investigate the frequency, causes, and the clinical characteristics of mono-RFP-resistant tuberculosis in Korea. Methods : Of the bacteriologically confirmed and susceptibility-proven 699 pulmonary tuberculosis patients (921 isolates) who visited Asan Medical Center from January 1990 to August 1997, eighteen patients with INH-susceptible and RFP-resistant tuberculosis were evaluated. Previous history of tuberculosis, antituberculous drug compliances, associated systemic illness, drug susceptibility patterns, and clinical outcomes were analysed. And rpoB gene sequencing was done in 6 clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. Results : The mean age of 18 patients was $43{\pm}14$ years, and the sex ratio is 12:6 (M : F). Sixteen (89%) patients had previous history of tuberculosis. None had diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders, and 2 HIV tests that were performed came out negative. Susceptibility tests were done repeatedly in eleven patients, and six (55%) were mono-RFP resistant repeatedly while five (45%) evolved to MDR tuberculosis. Eight (44%) patients were cured, six (33%) failed, three (17%) were lost to follow-up, and the other one is now on treatment. rpoB gene sequencing showed 5 mutations, codon 531 TCG to TIG mutation in 4 isolates and 526 CAC to TAC in 1 isolate. Conclusion : The clinical characteristics of mono-RFP resistant tuberculosis were similar to that of MDR tuberculosis in Korea where the HIV infection rate is lower than western countries. But some patients with mono-RFP-resistant tuberculous could be cured by primary drug regimens including RFP, suggesting that mono-RFP-resistant tuberculous is a different entity from MDR tuberculosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.257-265
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• 2005

Background : Rifabutin (ansamycin) is a spiro-piperidyl rifamycin, which is highly active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It has been found that some clinical isolates of tubercle bacilli that are resistant to rifampicin are susceptible to rifabutin, with some patients with multi-drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis having shown favorable clinical and bacteriological responses to the rifabutin. This study was conducted to find the proportion of rifabutin-susceptible strains among rifampicin-resistant isolates from Korean MDR-TB patients, and investigate the presence of specific rpoB mutations, which may confer resistance to rifampicin, but not to rifabutin. Methods : 201 rifampicin-resistant and 50 pan-susceptible M. tuberculosis isolates were randomly selected for this study. The isolates were retested at rifampicin and rifabutin concentrations of 0, 20, 40 and $80{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The isolates that grew at and/or over a rifabutin concentration of $20{\mu}g/ml$ were judged rifabutin-resistant. The rpoB gene was extracted from the isolates, and then amplified for direct sequencing to investigate specific rpoB mutations that conferred rifabutin- susceptibility but rifampicin-resistance. Results : Out of the 201 rifampicin-resistant M. tuberculosis, 41 strains (20.4%) were susceptible to rifabutin using the absolute concentration method on Lowenstein-Jensen media. The rpoB mutation types that showed susceptibility to rifabutin were Leu511Pro, Ser512Arg, Gln513Glu, Asp516Ala, Asp516Gly, Asp516Val, Asp516Tyr, Ser522Leu, His526Asn, His526Leu, His526Cys, Arg529Pro and Leu533Pro. A reverse hybridization technique was able to detect 92.5% of the rifabutin-susceptible isolates, with a specificity of 96.1% among 195 M. tuberculosis isolates with the rpoB mutation. Conclusions : Around 20% of the rifampicin-resistant isolates in Korea showed susceptibility to rifabutin, which was associated with some specific mutations of rpoB. Rifabutin could be used for the treatment of MDR-TB patients, especially when drug susceptibility testing reveals susceptibility to rifabutin.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 1980

Besides the benefits of antimicrobial agents in the control of various infectious diseases, widespread and prolonged use of particular antimicrobial agents has brought about the increase of drug-resistant strains in a community and the profound changes in the pattern of infectious diseases. In Korea, there are some remote villages where no clinics and drug stores are available and the residents in those areas are assumed to have fewer chances to contact with antimicrobial agents. In the present study, the differences in susceptibilities to 14 antimicrobial agents between the isolates from rural areas(R) and Seoul National University Hospital(SNUH, H) were studied. The isolates and their numbers were Staphylococcus aureus, R;55, H;68), Enterococci(R;28, H;30), Escherichia coli(R;40, H;40), Enterobacter aerogenes(R;25, H;21) and Klebsiella pneunoniae(R;58, H;67). Minimal inhibitory concentrations(MIC's) of penicillin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, cephalexin, tetracycline, oxytetracyline, doxycycline, minocycline, gentamicin, kanamycin, streptomycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin and co-trimoxazole were determined by agar dilution method. I. Comparison of MIC's and resistant strain proportions between isolates from SNUH and rural areas. MIC's and/or resistant strain proportions of the isolates from SNUH were significantly higher than those of the isolates from rural areas in the cases of 1. S. aureus to doxycycline, streptomycin and kanamycin. 2. E. coli to penicillin, ampicillin, carbenicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, erythromycin and co-trimoxazole. 3. E. aerogences to carbenicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, streptomycin, kanamycin, genaamicin and co-trimoxazole. 4. K pneunoniae to penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycycline, monocycline, streptomycin, kanamycine, gentamicin and co-trimoxazole. However, the mean MIC and resistant strain proportion of S. aureus to tetracycline were higher in isolates from rural areas than in those from SNUH and Enterococci showed no differences in susceptibilities to the antimicrobial agents between isolates from rural areas and from SNUH. Therefore, in general, differenes in susceptibility to these antimicrobial agents between the isolates from rural areas and SNUH were remarkably greater and broader in gram negative enteric bacteria. II. Multiple drug resistance pattern. Patterns and incidences of multiple drug resistance were studied with penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, cephalexin, gentamicin, streptomcin, kanamycin and co-trimoxazole in Enterococci, E. coli, E. aeroges and K. pneumoniae. There appeared significant differences in the incidence of multiply drug-resistant strains and multiple drug resistance patterns between the isolates from SNUH and rural areas in Enterococci, E. coli, E. aerogenes and K. pneumoniae. However, there was no difference in the incidence of multiply drug-resistant strains between isolates of S. aureus from SNUH and rural areas but the pattern of multiple resistance of the SNUH strains of S. aureus was diverse, while that of the rural strains was predominantly confined to penicillin-tetracycline combination. The incidence of multigly drug-resistant strains and diversity of their patterns were the highest in E. coli strains isolated from SNUH and there were no multiply drug resistant strrains in Enterococci and K. pneumoniae strains isolated from rural areas. The number of drug-resistance determinants was also different between the isolates from rural areas and SNUH. Most of the multiply drug-resistant strains of E. coli, E. aerogenes and K. pneumoniae isolated from SNUH were resistant to more than 3 kinds of antimicrobial agents, most frequently to ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin, while multiply drug-resistant strains from rural areas were resistant to 2 kinds of antimicrobial agents among ampicillin, tetracycline and streptomycin. With drug-resistant E. coli strains, resistance to tetracycline which was used most widely since 1951 was most frequently involved as a part of mutliple drug-resistance, followed by resistance to ampicillin and streptomycin. This strongly suggests that emergence of drug-restant strains in a community is directly dependent on the selective pressure exerted by the antimicrobial agent used. III. Cross resistance. Cross resistance of bacteria was studied among tetracycline penicillin, aminoglycoside and macrolide derivatives by analyzing correlation coefficients of sucseptibilities using the least square method. In this study, there were high correlations among the susceptibilities to related derivatives. It appears that the relatively low correlations in susceptibilities present in some cases are due to intrinsic resistance of E. aerogenes to penicillin, Enterococci to aminoglycoside and E. coli E. aerogenes and K. pneumoniae to macrolide derivatives.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2008

Methamphetamine, a commonly used addictive drug, is a powerful addictive stimulant that dramatically affects the CNS. Repeated METH administration leads to a rewarding effect in a state of addiction that includes sensitization, dependence, and other phenomena. It is well known that susceptibility to the development of addiction is influenced by sources of reinforcement, variable neuroadaptive mechanisms, and neurochemical changes that together lead to altered homeostasis of the brain reward system. These behavioral abnormalities reflect neuroadaptive changes in signal transduction function and cellular gene expression produced by repeated drug exposure. To provide a better understanding of addiction and the mechanism of the rewarding effect, it is important to identify related genes. In the present study, we performed gene expression profiling using microarray analysis in a reward effect animal model. We also investigated gene expression in four important regions of the brain, the nucleus accumbens, striatum, hippocampus, and cingulated cortex, and analyzed the data by two clustering methods. Genes related to signaling pathways including G-protein-coupled receptor-related pathways predominated among the identified genes. The genes identified in our study may contribute to the development of a gene modeling network for methamphetamine addiction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1216-1225
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• 2014

Biofilm-related infections of Candida albicans are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, especially those with immunocompromised status. Options of the antifungal drugs available for successful treatment of drug-resistant biofilms are very few, and as such, new strategies need to be explored against them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of phenylpropanoids of plant origin against planktonic cells, important virulence factors, and biofilm forms of C. albicans. Standard susceptibility testing protocol was used to evaluate the activities of 13 phenylpropanoids against planktonic growth. Their effects on adhesion and yeast-to-hyphae morphogenesis were studied in microplate-based methodologies. An in vitro biofilm model analyzed the phenylpropanoid-mediated prevention of biofilm development and mature biofilms using XTT-metabolic assay, crystal violet assay, and light microscopy. Six molecules exhibited fungistatic activity at ${\leq}0.5mg/ml$, of which four were fungicidal at low concentrations. Seven phenylpropanoids inhibited yeast-to-hyphae transition at low concentrations (0.031-0.5 mg/ml), whereas adhesion to the solid substrate was prevented in the range of 0.5-2 mg/ml. Treatment with ${\leq}0.5mg/ml$ concentrations of at least six small molecules resulted in significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of biofilm formation by C. albicans. Mature biofilms that are highly resistant to antifungal drugs were susceptible to low concentrations of 4 of the 13 molecules. This study revealed phenylpropanoids of plant origin as promising candidates to devise preventive strategies against drug-resistant biofilms of C. albicans.