• Laboratory Medicine and Quality Assurance
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.51-69
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• 2018

As part of the immunoserology program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service, we organized two trials on the external quality assessment of hepatitis viral markers in 2016 and 2017. The hepatitis viral antigens and antibodies program consisted of 10 test items. We delivered two and three types of pooled sera specimens to 965 and 965 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2016, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 915 (94.8%) and 913 (95.0%) in the first and second trials in 2016, respectively. We also delivered three kinds of pooled sera specimens to 936 and 1,015 institutions for the first and second trials of external proficiency testing in 2017, respectively. The number of participating laboratories was 920 (98.3%) and 996 (98.1%) in the first and second trials in 2017, respectively. The most commonly tested items were hepatitis B surface antigen, followed by the antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B envelope antigen, antibodies to hepatitis B envelope antigen, anti-hepatitis A virus and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen. The most frequently used methods for detecting viral markers were the chemiluminescence immunoassay and the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, but they yielded a few-false positive results due to the matrix effect. The immunochromatographic assay yielded false-negative results for anti-hepatitis A virus due to low sensitivity. Continuous improvement in the quality of viral hepatitis testing through participation in the survey seems necessary.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 2013

Background: A previous history of transfusion has been known to be associated with production of anti-HLA class I antibodies. However, platelet glycoproteins are the main target of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). The mechanism of antibody production is known to differ significantly between glycoproteins and anti-HLA class I. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of anti-HLA class I antibodies in childhood ITP. Methods: Enrollment for the normal control group targeted 48 people who visited Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 1990 to 2010, and 48 young children with ITP. Anti-glycoproteins and anti-HLA class I antibodies were tested using the Modified Antigen Capture Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (MACE) kit. Results: The positive rate of anti-HLA antibodies was significantly different [36/39 (92.3%) vs 29/46 (63%)] [ITP group vs normal control group] (P=0.002). The mean positive S/C ratio of anti-HLA antibodies was also significantly different (3.55 vs 1.51) [ITP group vs normal control group] (P=0.0000). The positive rate of anti-HLA did not differ significantly between the transfused group and the non-transfused group [12/12 (100%) vs 24/27 (88%)] [transfused ITP vs non-transfused ITP]. The mean positive S/C ratio of anti-HLA antibodies did not differ significantly between the transfused ITP group and the non-transfused ITP group (4.30 vs 3.25) [transfused ITP vs non-transfused ITP]. Consecutive testing showed that positive rate and positive S/C ratio of anti-HLA antibodies did not change significantly between sampling times in both groups [transfused ITP vs non-transfused ITP] (P=1.00 and P=0.15). Conclusion: Anti-HLA class I antibodies may be involved in childhood ITP. Transfusion did not affect the course of childhood ITP.

• Ultrasonography
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.132-142
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlations of various kinetic parameters derived from the time intensity curve in a xenograft mouse model injected with a prostate cancer model (PC-3 and LNCaP) using an ultrasound contrast agent with histopathologic parameters. Materials and Methods: Twenty nude mice were injected with human prostate cancer cells (15 PC-3 and five LNCaP) on their hind limbs. A bolus of $500{\mu}L$ ($1{\times}10^8$ microbubbles) of second-generation US contrast agent (SonoVue) was injected into the retroorbital vein. The region of interest was drawn over the entire tumor. The time intensity curve was acquired and then fitted to a gamma variate function. The maximal intensity (A), time to peak (Tp), maximal wash-in rate (washin), washout rate (washout), area under the curve up to 50 sec ($AUC_{50}$), area under the ascending slope ($AUC_{in}$), and area under the descending slope ($AUC_{out}$) were derived from the parameters of the gamma variate fit. Immunohistochemical staining for VEGF and CD31 was performed. Tumor volume, the area percentage of VEGF stained in a field, and the count of CD31 (microvessel density, MVD) positive vessels showed correlation with the parameters from the time intensity curve. Results: No significant differences were observed between the kinetic and histopathological parameters from each group. MVD showed positive correlation with A (r=0.625, p=0.003), washin (r=0.462, p=0.040), $AUC_{50}$ (r=0.604, p=0.005), and $AUC_{out}$ (r=0.587, p=0.007). Positive correlations were also observed between tumor volume and $AUC_{50}$ (r=0.481, p=0.032), washin (r=0.662, p=0.001), and $AUC_{out}$ (r=0.547, p=0.012). Washout showed negative correlations with MVD (r=-0.454, p=0.044) and tumor volume (r=-0.464, p=0.039). The area percentage of VEGF did not show any correlation with calculated data from the curve. Conclusion: MVD showed correlations with several of the kinetic parameters. CEUS has the potential for prediction of tumor vascularity in a prostate cancer animal model.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2012

Background: Leukocyte reduction filters are widely used to prevent transfusion reactions caused by leukocytes in blood components. Commercial filters are not sufficient for removal of leukocytes for prevention of transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease; therefore, irradiation of blood components was performed using expensive equipment. Techniques using an aptamer substituted for antibody have been developed and are available in clinical areas. The purpose of this study is to develop the aptamer filter system and to evaluate its efficiency and the possibility of its clinical application. Methods: Aptamers targeted to CD45 were selected by the Postech Aptamer Initiative. The aptamer filter in which aptamers attached to beads were bound to leukocytes and removed by magnetic field was developed. Filtration of 14 units of leukoreduction-red blood provided by Korean Red Cross Blood Services was performed using aptamer filters. Leukocyte removal rate and red cell recovery rate were evaluated and bacterial culture was performed. Results: After filtration using the aptamer filters, 45.6% of leukocytes were additionally removed and the red cell recovery rate was 92.8%. No growth in the bacterial culture was observed. Conclusion: In order to apply the cell depletion technique utilizing an aptamer to blood filter system, we developed and evaluated the aptamer filter system. Through improvement of the binding efficiency of the aptamer and the filtering process, and application of the various aptamers for other different cells, we suggest that this technique can be applied in the clinical area, such as a substitution for the irradiation process for TAGVHD prevention.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.17-24
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• 2012

Soil types for cultivated crops are approximately compose of volcanic ash soils for black(21%) and dark brown soils(41%), and non-volcanic ash soil of red-yellow soil(17%) in Jeju Island. The effects of these soils on fruit qualities of kiwifruit 'Jecy Gold'(Actinidia chinensis cv. Jecy Gold) were investigated in non-heating plastic house. Soil moisture potential was the lowest in the red-yellow soil during fruit growth. However, transverse diameter of fruit in the red-yellow soil was tends to be smaller than in volcanic ash soils, but longitudinal length of fruit was not shown difference by soil types during fruit maturation. Soluble solids in fruit was not differed by soil types until 140 days after of anthesis, after that the red-yellow soil was the highest. No difference on acid contents and hardness of fruit by soil types. Fructose, glucose and sucrose contents in harvested fruit were $4.45{\pm}2.08$, $5.43{\pm}1.13$, and $2.40{\pm}0.40%$ for the red-yellow soil, $2.51{\pm}0.55$, $3.52{\pm}0.86$, and $0.79{\pm}0.33%$ for the black soil and $2.54{\pm}0.47$, $3.52{\pm}0.73$, and $0.73{\pm}0.38%$ for the dark brown soil, respectively. These results show that soluble solid and free sugars in fruit were affected by soil types. It is estimated that soil moisture was rapidly drought in the red-yellow soil of non-volcanic ash soil than in the black and dark brown soils of volcanic ash soil.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.111-125
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• 2012

In order to evaluate suitability by processing for non-GM soybean cultivars such as Gaechuck#2, Jinyangkong and CJ#1 lacking lipoxygenase (LOX) and kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) protein, physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Kanjang made from above soybean were compared to Kanjang made from a conventional cultivar (Taekwangkong). Proximate compositions of soybeans were similar for the 4 kinds cultivars. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were significantly higher in cultivars lacking LOX and KTI protein than the Taekwangkong. In Kanjang, contents of total and reducing sugar were higher in Taekwangkong Kanjang than Kanjang from made cultivars lacking LOX and KTI protein. Contents of total and amino type nitrogen were the highest in the Jinyangkong Kanjang. Mineral contents were higher in the Jinyangkong and CJ#1 Kanjangs, amino acid contents were higher in the Kanjang made from 3 cultivars lacking LOX and KTI protein than the Taekwangkong. Taste of the Jinyangkong Kanjang with higher sweety and savory was also found to be superior to that of others in overall acceptability evaluation. Total phenol and flavonoid contents in Kanjang were significantly higher in the Kanjang made from cultivars lacking LOX and KTI protein than the Taekwangkong. Radical scavenging activity of Kanjang was increased in the total phenol contents dependent on. Reducing power by ferric-reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) was significantly higher the Kanjang made from Gaechuck#2 and CJ#1 than the Taekwangkong. $Fe^{2+}$ chelating activity was higher in Taekwangkong Kanjang than the other cultivars, but its activity was similar to Jinyangkong Kanjang. Therefore, higher nutritional composition, total phenol and flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity in the Kanjang made from soybean cultivars lacking LOX and KTI protein might be provide better benefit for manufacture of another their products.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

The aim of this study was development of natural antifungal compounds from softwood. We investigated antifungal activities of extracts from Pseudotsuga menziesii and Chamaecyparis obtusa against Tricholderma genus which is virus causing green mold disease and analyzed antifungal compounds by Gas chromatography -Mass Spetrometer. Extracts from P. menziesii had inhibition activities against Tricholderma genus on 1,000 ppm and had high antifungal activities against T. viride by 70.1%, T. harzianum by 67.3% and T. aggressivum by 64.7% on 4,000 ppm. And extracts from C. obtusa had antifungal activities against Tricholderma genus on 1,000 ppm and had high antifungal activities against T. viride by 63.2%, T. harzianum by 59.3% and T. aggressivum by 59.1% on 4,000 ppm. But mixing compounds which are made from P. menziesii and C. obtusa extracts by variety ratio had lower antifungal activities than original extracts. Main antifungal active components of P. menziesii extracts against Tricholderma genus were 2-Isopropoxy-ethylamine 46.5%, epifluorohydrin 8.6%, trans-2,3-Di-methyloxirane 7.6%, (IR)-(-)-Myrtenal 6.0%, 2-Methoxy-4-Vinylphenol 3.9% and benzaldehyde 2.8%. In case of C. obtusa extracts, they were ${\alpha}$-Terpinenyl acetate 14.9%, Sabinene 10.9%, dl-Limonene 9.6%, ${\alpha}$-Terpinolene 7.5% and ${\alpha}$-Pinene 7.1%. As mentioned above, these results revealed extracts from P. menziesii and C. obtusa of softwood could be used as potential agents to inhibit Trichoderma genus.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.308-313
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• 2008

"Jeokjoong", a white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety was developed from the cross "Keumkang"/"Tapdong". "Jeokjoong" is an awned, semi-dwarf and soft white winter wheat, similar to "Keumkang" (check variety). The heading and maturing date of "Jeokjoong" were similar to "Keumkang". Culm and spike length of "Jeokjoong" were 78 cm and 7.5 cm, similar to "Keumkang". "Jeokjoong" had lower test weight (800 g) and lower 1,000-grain weight (40.1 g) than "Keumkang" (811 g and 44.0 g, respectively). It had resistance to winter hardiness, wet-soil tolerance and lodging tolerance. "Jeokjoong" showed moderate to scab in test of specific character although "Keumkang" is susceptible to scab. "Jeokjoong" had lower flour yield (69.2%) and ash content (0.36%) than "Keumkang" (72.0% and 0.41%, respectively) and similar flour color to "Keumkang". It showed lower protein content (8.9%) and SDS-sedimentation volume (36.8 ml) and shorter mixograph mixing time (3.5 min) than "Keumkang" (11.0%, 59.7 ml and 4.5 min, respectively). Amylose content and pasting properties of "Jeokjoong" were similar to "Keumkang". "Jeokjoong" had softer and more elastic texture of cooked noodles than "Keumkang". Average yield of "Jeokjoong" in the regional adaptation yield trial was 6.19 MT ha-1 in upland and 5.33 MT/ha in paddy field, which was 19% and 16% higher than those of "Keumkang" (5.21 MT/ha and 4.58 MT/ha, respectively). "Jeokjoong" would be suitable for the area above the daily minimum temperature of $-10^{\circ}C$ in January in Korean peninsula.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.328-331
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• 2008

Hwangeumnodeul is a new japonica rice cultivar developed from a cross between Milyang165 and HR15151-B-21-3 at Honam Agricultural Research Institute (HARI), NICS, RDA, in 2007. This cultivar has short grains and about 139 days of growth duration from direct seeding to harvesting in the southern plain areas. Culm length of this cultivar is 78 cm and the number of spikelet per panicle is similar to that of the check cultivar, Nampyeongbyeo, while filled grain rate is lower than the check variety. This cultivar is moderately resistant to leaf blast, bacterial blight pathogens of $K_1$, $K_2$ and $K_3$ and stripe virus but susceptible to major virus diseases and insect pests. Milled kernel of Hwanggeumnodeul is translucent with non-glutinous endosperm. This cultivar has about 5.7% and 18.6% of protein and amylose contents, respectively. Palatability of cooked rice of Hwanggeumnodeul is similar to Nampyeongbyeo. Its milling recovery and head rice were 75.6% and 90.0%, respectively. Hwanggeumnodeul yielded 5.69 and 5.61 MT/ha in milled rice at the under wet-direct and dry-direct seeding conditions, respectively which are 17% and 12% higher than the check variety, Juanbyeo. It yielded 5.86 MT/ha, 8% higher than Nampyeongbyeo at the standard fertilizer level of the ordinary transplanting cultivation. "Hwanggeumnodeul" would be adaptable for ordinary transplanting as well as direct seeding in the southern plain including Chungcheong province.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.549-553
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• 2011

'Jungmo 1012', a new japonica rice intermediate parent developed from a cross between 'Sambaegbyeo' having a good eating-quality and lodging resistance, and 'Ou329', was developed by the rice breeding team of Sangju Substation, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration in 2010. This variety has about 120 days growth duration from transplanting to harvesting in southern mid-mountainous area of Korea. It has 78 cm culm length and tolerance to lodging. In reaction to biotic and abiotic stresses, it shows strong resistance to blast and viviparous germination, but is susceptible to bacterial blight, virus diseases, and insect pests. The milled rice of 'Jungmo 1012' exhibit translucent, relatively clear non-glutinous endosperm and medium short grain. It has a little lower amylose content of 18.2%, and higher protein content of 6.3%, and good palatability of cooked rice compared with 'Odaebyeo'. The milled rice yield performance of this variety is about 5.55 MT/ha in local adaptability test for three years. 'Jungmo 1012' will be adaptable to southern mid-mountainous of South Korea.