• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2003

Twenty five isolates of Alternaria were obtained from various solanaceous crops in Korea. For all isolates, morphological characteristics of the conidia were determined and compared with those of representative isolates of A. solani and A. tomatophila. A selection of the isolates and the representative Alternaria isolates were evaluated for Pathogenicity to potato, tomato, egg plant and red pepper. Molecular characteristics of 17 isolates of Alternaria inculding the representative isolates were determined using sequence analysis of IRS rDNA and histone H3 gene, and URP-PCR analysis. Based on morphological characteristics, the isolates from the solanaceous crops were grouped as identical or very similar to either A. tomatophila (ATO), A. solani (ASO), and unidentified Alternaria sp. (ASP). Isolates of ASO were moderately pathogenic to all the solanaceous crops tested, but ATO isolates were highly pathogenic to tomato and the ASP isolate was pathogenic only to potato. Among the molecular markers used in this study, the URP-PCR analysis was found to be appropriate for taxonomic resolution of these species. Based on the conidial morphology, pathogenicity test and molecular characteristics, A. tomatophila (early blight of tomato) could be distinguished from A. solani (early blight of potato), and the Alternaria sp. (ASP) from potato, which was closely related to ASO in conidial morphology, was considered as a new species.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.719-730
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the environmental characteristics of natural habitats, and the genetic variations in samples from 19 different quadrates of Asplenium scolopendrium 10 habitats. The natural habitats of A. scolopendrium were located at an altitudes 110-973 m with inclinations of $7-30^{\circ}$. All the quadrates were located on north facing slopes. The average field capacity of the soil is 31.4%, with organic matter at 16.7%, and the pH is 5.84. The soil texture was confirmed as sandy loam in 8 habitats and silt loam in 2 habitats. A total of 214 vascular plants were identified from 10 habitats. The importance value of the herbaceous layer (H) was the highest in A. scolopendrium, at 10.4%, followed by Arachniodes standishii (7.3%), Dryopteris crassirhizoma (6.5%), and Polystichum tripteron (5.3%), which implies that the natural habitats of A. scolopendrium are affinity with ferns. The species diversity of A. scolopendrium was estimated as on average 1.09, while the dominance and evenness were 0.12 and 0.87, respectively. The result of the RAPD analysis, among 59 bands amplified with a primer, 25 (42.4%) showed polymorphism. Twenty-one individuals of 10 habitats could be classified into four groups with similarity coefficient values ranging from 0.74 to 1.0. Mt. Mullae and Geumdaebong populations shows basal branching within the 21 individuals. Ulleung-do island and Jeju-do island population forms an independent clade, respectively. Mt. Moak and Byeonsan-bando clade formed a sister to the Ulleung-do island and Jeju-do island clade.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.418-425
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• 2006

A human bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed with high molecular weight DNA extracted from the blood of a male Korean. This Korean BAC library contains 100,224 clones of insert size ranging from 70 to 150 kb, with an average size of 86 kb, corresponding to a 2.9-fold redundancy of the genome. The average insert size was determined from 288 randomly selected BAC clones that were well distributed among all the chromosomes. We developed a pooling system and three-step PCR screen for the Korean BAC library to isolate desired BAC clones, and we confirmed its utility using primer pairs designed for one of the clones. The Korean BAC library and screening pools will allow PCR-based screening of the Korean genome for any gene of interest. We also determined the allele types of HLA-DRA and HLA-DRB3 of clone KB55453, located in the HLA class II region on chromosome 6p21.3. The HLA-DRA and DRB3 genes in this clone were identified as the DRA*010202 and DRB3*01010201 types, respectively. The haplotype found in this library will provide useful information in future human disease studies.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.565-573
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• 1998

To study the specific tools for the diagnosis of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chicken, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its presumable conditions were evaluated for the detection of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) gene of NDV RNA. For these purposes, Kyojeongwon strain of the NDV was propagated in allantoic cavity of SPF embryonating chicken eggs, and viral RNA was extracted from fractionated virus after the allantoic fluids were ultracentrifuged with sucrose gradient. The first-strand cDNA was then made for the HN gene of NDV RNA by reverse transcription at $42^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour using specific primer complementary to the HN gene. The single-stranded cDNA was used as template in the PCR of the HN-DNA, and various conditions of the PCR were evaluated to set up method for the specific detection of the HN-DNA. The PCR conditions promising for the detection of HN gene consist of preheating at $94^{\circ}C$, 5 min, 30 cycles of denaturation at $94^{\circ}C$, 1 min, annealing at $55^{\circ}C$, 1 min and polymerization at $72^{\circ}C$, 2 min, and a cycle of extension at $72^{\circ}C$, 5 min. when NDVs of allantoic fluids without fractionation were applied to the above PCR condition, the HN genes were detected effectively not only from Kyojeongwon but from other velogenic strains such as Herts and a field isolate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.2245-2249
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• 2014

Background: Human papillomavirus is a well-established cause of the development of a variety of epithelial lesions in the cervix. However, as yet, incorporation of HPV testing into cervical cancer screening either as an adjunct or stand alone test is limited due to its cost. We therefore here ascertained the presence and type specificity of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA in routine cervical scrapings. Materials and Methods: Cervical scrapings were collected from women attending clinics for routine Pap smear screening. HPV-DNA was detected by PCR using MY09/11 and GP5+/GP6+ primer sets and genotyping was accomplished by cycle-sequencing. Results: A total of 635 women were recruited into the study with $mean{\pm}SD$ age of $43{\pm}10.5$ years. Of these 92.6% (588/635) were reported as within normal limits (WNL) on cytology. The presence of HPV infection detected by nested MY/GP+-PCR was 4.4% (28/635). The overall prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) in abnormal Pap smears was 53.8% (7/13). HPVs were also seen in 3.1% (18/588) of smears reported as WNL by cytology and 5.9% (2/34) in smears unsatisfactory for evaluation. Conclusions: The overall percentage of HPV positivity in routine cervical screening samples is comparable with abnormal findings in cytology. Conventional Pap smear 'missed' a few samples. Since HPV testing is expensive, our results may provide valuable information for strategising implementation of effective cervical cancer screening in a country with limited resources like Malaysia. If Pap smear coverage could be improved, HPV testing could be used as an adjunct method on cases with ambiguous diagnoses.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2014

PCR detection of intestinal protozoa is often restrained by a poor DNA recovery or by inhibitors present in feces. The need for an extraction protocol that can overcome these obstacles is therefore clear. $QIAamp^{(R)}$ DNA Stool Mini Kit (Qiagen) was evaluated for its ability to recover DNA from oocysts/cysts directly from feces. Twenty-five Giardia-positive, 15 Cryptosporidium-positive, 15 Entamoeba histolytica-positive, and 45 protozoa-free samples were processed as control by microscopy and immunoassay tests. DNA extracts were amplified using 3 sets of published primers. Following the manufacturer's protocol, the kit showed sensitivity and specificity of 100% towards Giardia and Entamoeba. However, for Cryptosporidium, the sensitivity and specificity were 60% (9/15) and 100%, respectively. A series of optimization experiments involving various steps of the kit's protocol were conducted using Cryptosporidium-positive samples. The best DNA recoveries were gained by raising the lysis temperature to the boiling point for 10 min and the incubation time of the InhibitEX tablet to 5 min. Also, using a pre-cooled ethanol for nucleic acid precipitation and small elution volume ($50-100{\mu}l$) were valuable. The sensitivity of the amended protocol to Cryptosporidium was raised to 100%. Cryptosporidium DNA was successfully amplified by either the first or the second primer set. When applied on parasite-free feces spiked with variable oocysts/cysts counts, ${\approx}2$ oocysts/cysts were theoretically enough for detection by PCR. To conclude, the Qiagen kit with the amended protocol was proved to be suitable for protozoan DNA extraction directly from feces and support PCR diagnosis.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2011

To identify unintended vertical gene-transfer rates from the developed transgenic plants, rapid and unequivocal techniques are needed to identify event-specific markers based on flanking sequences around the transgene and to distinguish zygosity such as homo- and hetero-zygosity. To facilitate evaluation of zygosity, a polymerase chain reaction technique was used to analyze a transgenic pepper line B20 (homozygote), P915 wild type (null zygote), and their F1 hybrids, which were used as transgene contaminated plants. First, we sequenced the 3'-flanking region of the T-DNA (1,277 bp) in the transgenic pepper event B20. Based on sequence information for the 3'- and 5'-flanking region of T-DNA provided in a previous study, a primer pair was designed to amplify full length T-DNA in B20. We successfully amplified the full length T-DNA containing 986 bp from the flanking regions of B20. In addition, a 1,040 bp PCR product, which was where the T-DNA was inserted, was amplified from P915. Finally, both full length T-DNA and the 1,040 bp fragment were simultaneously amplified in the F1 hybrids; P915 ${\times}$ B20, Pungchon ${\times}$ B20, Gumtap ${\times}$ B20. In the present study, we were able to identify zygosity among homozygous transgenic event B20, its wild type P915, and hemizygous F1 hybrids. Therefore, this novel zygosity identification technique, which is based on PCR, can be effectively used to examine gene flow for transgenic pepper event B20.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.383-393
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• 2006

Statement of problem : Limited research on flowable resin has been undertaken on its application directly on dentin associated with the adhesive systems. Purpose : This study was to evaluate the shear bond strengh and fracture aspect of flowable resin on human dentin with various types of dentin bonding adhesives with thermo cycling effect. Materials and methods: Filtek-Flow(3M ESPE, USA) was used as flowable resin and Eighty human molars were randomly divided into 4 groups : three dentin bonding adhesives (Scotchbond-Multipurpose : 3-step contentional system, One-Step : One-bottle system. Prompt L-Pop : All-in-one, self-etching primer) and 32% etching treatment without bonding adhesive as a control group. For evaluating their durability of bonding, each group was subdivided : storaging in the water at 37$^{\circ}C$(24 hours) and thermocycling (0$^{\circ}C$-55$^{\circ}C$, 30 seconds intervals, 1000 cycle). Shear bond strength tests were performed and resin-dentin interface and fracture mode were observed. Results were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's multiple range test. Results and Conclusion : 1. At 0 cycle, the mean shear bond strength of One-Step exhibited the highest value of all groups(p<0.05), and there were no significant differences between Prompt L-Pop and Scotchbond-Multipurpose, Scotchbond-Multipurpose and control(p>0.05). After 1000 thermocycling, One-Step exhibited higher value than other groups(p<0.05), and there were no significant differences among other groups (p>0.05). 2. The shear bond strength of each group was significantly decreased after thermocycling except Scotchbond-Multipurpose (p>0.05). 3. The most common failure mode was adhesive type and mixed type, next in order.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1463-1470
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• 2010

E. coli has long been widely used as a host system for the manufacture of recombinant proteins intended for human therapeutic use. When considering the impurities to be eliminated during the downstream process, residual host cell DNA is a major safety concern. The presence of residual E. coli host cell DNA in the final products is typically determined using a conventional slot blot hybridization assay or total DNA Threshold assay. However, both the former and latter methods are time consuming, expensive, and relatively insensitive. This study thus attempted to develop a more sensitive real-time PCR assay for the specific detection of residual E. coli DNA. This novel method was then compared with the slot blot hybridization assay and total DNA Threshold assay in order to determine its effectiveness and overall capabilities. The novel approach involved the selection of a specific primer pair for amplification of the E. coli 16S rRNA gene in an effort to improve sensitivity, whereas the E. coli host cell DNA quantification took place through the use of SYBR Green I. The detection limit of the real-time PCR assay, under these optimized conditions, was calculated to be 0.042 pg genomic DNA, which was much higher than those of both the slot blot hybridization assay and total DNA Threshold assay, where the detection limits were 2.42 and 3.73 pg genomic DNA, respectively. Hence, the real-time PCR assay can be said to be more reproducible, more accurate, and more precise than either the slot blot hybridization assay or total DNA Threshold assay. The real-time PCR assay may thus be a promising new tool for the quantitative detection and clearance validation of residual E. coli host cell DNA during the manufacturingprocess for recombinant therapeutics.