• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.121-128
• /
• 2005

A total of 30L monocytogenes strains from different sources including 13 strains isolated from the foreign imported meat were genotyped in order to establish their genetic relatedness and to compare them with the foreign isolates. PFGE analysis of genomic DNA showed the $11\~16$ fragments ranging in size from 38 to 504 kb. Eleven different PFGE types $(1\~11)$ were identified in the dendrogram at $75\%$ similarity, and the two major PFGE types, type 1 and 2, contained $94\%$ of domestic isolates (16/17). All isolates from domestic beef and pork carcass were grouped in each different type, however, isolates from chicken were clustered together with those from pork and beef. We also found all foreign strains were unrelated with each other, regardless of geographic criteria and that they could be differentiated from those from the domestic isolates by PFGE pattern. The PFGE pattern of one isolate from chicken wing, which the chicken meat was found to be imported from foreign country, was closely related to that of isolate from the Thailand.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.94-97
• /
• 2008

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is the name of the major histocompatibility complex (MCH) in humans. The superlocus contains a large number of genes related to immune system function in humans. This group of genes resides on chromosome 6. and encode cell surface antigen-presenting proteins and many other genes. HLA class I antigen (A, B & C) present peptides from inside the cell. These peptides are produced from digested proteins that are broken down in the lysozymes. Most expressed HLA loci exhibit a remarkable degree of allelic polymorphism, which derives from sequence differences predominantly localized to discrete hypervariable regions of the amino terminal domain of the molecule. In this sutdy, the HLA-A genotypes were determined in twenty students unrelated koreans using the PCR-SSP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Sequence Specific Primer) technique. Several specific primer pairs in assigning the HLA-A gene were used (A*0201, A*33, A*2401). The results of PCR-SSP, the HLA-A*0201 primer was detected eleven (55%), the HLA-A*33 were detected seven (35%) and the HLA-A*2401 were detected seven (35%). This study shows that the PCR-SSP technique is relatively simple, fast and a practical tool for the determination of the HLA-A genotypes.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2009

Osteoporosis is characterized by impaired osteogenesis. BMD is a major determinant of bone strength. The role of the VDR gene in predisposition to primary osteoporosis has been recognized. However, population-based case-control studies have been reported controversial results for known candidate genes in an ethnically distinct group. To determine the genetic effects of VDR variants on osteoporosis and BMD, we directly sequenced the VDR gene in 24 unrelated Korean individuals and identified eighteen sequence variants. We investigated the potential involvement of eight SNPs in osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (n = 729). Two SNPs (LD) in intron 2, -5294G>C (rs2238135) and -4817G>A (rs17882443) showed the evidence of association with enhanced BMD of the femoral neck ($p_{additive}$=0.031 for rs2238135; $p_{additive}$=0.017 and $p_{dominant}$= 0.019 for 17882443). Moreover, VDR -4817G>A was significantly associated with protective effect on all fracture risk ($p_{recessive}$=0.035, OR=0.2, 95% CI=$0.05{\sim}0.89$), and tended to be higher BMD values at various proximal femur sites. Therefore, we suggest that the -4817G>A may be useful genetic marker for vitamin D-related metabolism and may have an important role in the increased BMD of the proximal femur in postmenopausal Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 2011

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (S.) aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide and the emergence of this strain has become a major clinical problem. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of MRSA and their genetic characteristics in 69 S. aureus isolated from humans and animals. In human isolates, higher antimicrobial resistance rates were observed against penicillin (80.6%), followed by erythromycin (11.9%) and tetracycline (9.0%). All of them were susceptible to clindamycin, enrofloxacin, novobiocin, pirlimycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. The resistance patterns in animal isolates were similar to those of human isolates. Two (2.9%) MRSA strains were isolated from human (n = 1) and animal (n = 1), and these isolates were confirmed as carrying the mecA gene. One isolate originating from human was resistant to 7 drugs and the other isolate derived from animal was resistant to 11 drugs. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) variant IIIB was identified in animal isolate but SCCmec type of an isolate from human was not exactly determined. Two MRSA isolates showed unrelated PFGE pattern between them. Our results indicated although the frequency of MRSA isolates from humans and animals was low, a continuous surveillance and monitoring should be called for to prevent the contamination and spread of MRSA in the community. To our knowledge, this is the first time that SCCmec type variant IIIB was detected from animals in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.27-44
• /
• 1999

Obesity in children is a major concern of public health. This study was performed to illuminate its effect on weight control program and the associated factors of obesity-related habits and obesity index in primary school obese children. Weight control program consisted of behavioral modification, nutrition education and exercise during 17 weeks. The sample consisted of treatment group(n=42) and control group(n=41). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in obesity index, socioeconomic status and grade. To assess the effects of weight control program, the subjects were given pre-test and post-test such as the measurement of anthropometric values and self-reporting questionnaire. This result of this study were as follows; 1. After weight control program was applied, there was a significant decrease in obesity index among the treatment group. Obesity-related habits score of the treatment group increased significantly, While there was not much difference between the pre-test and the post-test among the control group. But exercise habit didn't increase significantly in the both groups. 2. Correlation between obesity-related habits and obesity index were not evident. 3. After application of weight control program, the factors associated with change of eating habit were children's past experience of weight control, motivational change toward weight control program and friends' support for treatment group. The factors associated with change of exercise habit were post-test motivation score and friends' support. Motivational change toward weight control and pre-test self-efficacy of exercise behavior were counter-related to exercise habit. For change of other obesity-related habits, initial obesity index, motivational change, post-test self-efficacy score of exercise behavior and paternal educational status were closely associated. But post-test self-efficacy score of eating behavior was unrelated. 4. Only the factor of experience of weight control was associated with change of obesity index. 5. For the both groups, the factors associated with change of eating habits were post-test self-efficacy of eating behavior and family's support. The factors associated with change of exercise behavior were self-efficacy changes of exercise behavior and friends' support. The factors associated with change of other obesity-related habits were self-efficacy change of eating behavior. Initial obesity index was associated with change of obesity index. 6. The rate of dropouts from weight control program was 28.6% (12/42) in treatment group. Initial obesity index, other obesity-related habits except eating exercise habits, friend's support were associated with dropout. In conclusion, these results indicated that weight control program in primary school settings was effective. Direct exercise regimen and practice was demanded. In addition to the program itself, much of the success is dependent on the degree of motivation of the children involved and support provided by their parents and friends. Further study need to be performed under the condition that the weight control progrom is applied for a longer period.