• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.52 no.6
• /
• pp.608-615
• /
• 2002

Background : ADA is an enzyme found in most cells, and is involved in purine metabolism, but its chief role concerns the proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes, especially T-lymphocytes. For that reason ADA has been looked on as a marker of cell-mediate immunity, which is the key mechanism of the tuberculous pleural effusion. Thus, the pleural fluid ADA activity is increased in the tuberculous pleural effusion. Age associated immune decline is characterized by decreases in both B and T-lymphocyte function and the former may be largely a result of the latter. Therefore, the pleural fluid ADA activity would be lower in old rather than in young, patients with tuberculous pleural effusion. We studied the relationship between age, and pleural fluid ADA activity, in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion. Materials and Methods : In the 46 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion enroll in this study, the pleural fluid ADA activities were measured by means of an automated kinetic method. Results : The mean age of the patients was $53.0{\pm}22.0$ years, with a male to female ratio of 30:16. The patients were divided into two groups, young patients, regarded as < 65 and old regarded as ${\geq}65$ years with 28 and 18 patients, respectively. The pleural fluid ADA activity in both groups show significant differences : $99.4{\pm}22.6$ IU/L(young patients) Vs. $75.8{\pm}30.9$ IU/L(old patients)(p<0.05), but a negative correlation with age (r=-0.311, p<0.05). Conclusion : Although pleural fluid ADA activity was not adequately increased, tuberculous pleural effusion, in older patients, would have to be considered clinically suspicious tuberculous pleural effusion.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2007

The Function of the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) is to control calcium levels by altering PTH (parathyroid hormone) secretion and renal calcium resorption. The influence of calcium on the basal and stimulated release of several hormones from chicken pituitary glands has been determined in vitro. The objective of this study was to identify SNP in chicken CaSR gene and to investigate the effect of the SNP on economic traits. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms within chicken CaSR gene. This study identified SNP at position 1949 bp(Genebank accession No : XM_416491) in the exon 1. The SNP changed the amino acid to alanine(GCC) from serine(TCC). This SNP showed three genotypes, AA, AS and SS by digestion with the restriction enzyme NcoⅠ using the PCR-RFLP method. The A963S showed significant effect only on the first lay day (P<0.05) in Leghorn population. Leghorn with the genotype AA had significantly faster the first lay day(137.6) than the genotype AS(143.0, P<0.05). Also, the A963S showed significant effect only on the first lay day(P<0.05) and mean of egg weight(P<0.05) in KNC population. KNC with the genotypes AA ans AS had significantly faster the first lay day (151.0 and 152.6, respectively) than the genotype SS(159.4, P<0.05). And the genotypes SS had significantly heavier the mean of egg weight(50.4 kg, P<0.05) than the genotype AA ans AS (47.5 and 47.8 kg, respectively). According to result of this study, an a allele of the A963S was found to have a significant effect on the first lay day. It will be possible to use this SNP marker on selecting chicken to improve the first lay day.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.146-158
• /
• 2014

Camelina sativa that belongs to Brassicaceae family is an emerging oilseed crop. Camelina seeds contain approximately 40% storage oils per seed dry weight, which are useful for human and animal diets and industrial applications. Microsomal delta-12 fatty acid desaturase2 (FAD2) catalyzes the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid. The polymorphisms of FAD2 genes are correlated with the levels of oleic acids in seed oils. Microsomal delta-12 fatty acid desaturase2 (FAD2) catalyzes the conversion of oleic acid to linoleic acid. The polymorphisms of FAD2 genes are correlated with the levels of oleic acids in seed oils. In this study, three CsFAD2 genes (CsFAD2-1, CsFAD2-2 and CsFAD2-3.1) were isolated from developing seeds of Camelina sativa (L.) cv. CAME. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of three CsFAD2 genes were compared with those from dicotyledon and monocotyledon plants including Camelina cultivars Sunesone and SRS933. Three histidine motifs (HECGH, HRRHH, and HVAHH) required for FAD activity and a hydrophobic valine or isoleucine residue, which is a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) marker related with enzyme activity are well conserved in three CsFAD2s. The expressions of CsFAD2-1 and CsFAD2-3.1 were ubiquitously detected in various Camelina organs, whereas the CsFAD2-2 transcripts were predominantly detected in flowers and developing seeds. The contents of oleic acids decreased, whereas the amounts of linoleic acid increased in dry seeds of transgenic fad2-2 lines expressing each CsFAD2 gene compared with fad2-2 mutant, indicating that three CsFAD2 genes are functionally active. The isolated CsFAD2 genes might be applicable in metabolic engineering of storage oils with high oleic acids in oilseed crops.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 1994

Background: The cell mediated immunity has an important role in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. sIL-2R has been known as a sensitive marker of T lymphocyte activation Elevated serum levels of sIL-2R have been found in patients with lymphoproliferative disorders, organ transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and various granulomatous diseases. Elevated levels of sIL-2R have been also found in the serum and pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculosis. To evaluate the diagnostic value of sIL-2R in the differentiation of tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy. We measured the level of sIL-2R in the sera and pleural fluids of 12 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 32 patients with nontuberculous pleurisy. Method: Samples of pleural fluid and serum were centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 10 min to remove cell pellets. Soluble IL-2R was measured with a sandwitch enzyme immunoassay using the Cellfree(r) Interleukin-2 Receptor Test kit(T-cell science,Inc. Cambridge, MA). Results: The results obtained were as follows: 1) The sIL-2R level in pleural fluid of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with nontuberculous pleurisy(P<0.005). 2) When the sIL-2R level above 5,000 u/ml in pleural fluid was used as the cut-off value to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy, it had a sensitivity of 84.6% and a specificity of 90.9%. 3) The sIL-2R level in the sera of the patients with tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that of patients with bacterial pleural effusions and normal control group(P<0.05) and there was no difference of levels compared with malignant pleural effusions and transudative pleural effusions(P>0.05). 4) In patients with tuberculous pleurisy, the mean concentration of sIL-2R in pleural fluid was higher than that in serum(P<0.005). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the measurement of elevated levels of pleural fluid sIL-2R in tuberculous pleurisy may be useful in the differential diagnosis between patients with tuberculous pleurisy and nontuberculous pleurisy.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.411-418
• /
• 2007

Exposure to low frequency noise(LFN) can lead to vibroacoustic diseases(VADs), which include a systemic disease with lesions in a broad spectrum of organs and a psychiatric condition. It is known that VAD is an established risk factor for the development of many psychological conditions in humans and rodents, including major depression and anxiety disorder. The present study investigated the effects of LFN on neuronal stress responses in the rat brain. The neuronal expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) of the hypothalamus and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the LC was observed. The immunocytochemical detection of the Fos protein and TH has been used as a marker of neuronal activation in response to stress. In addition, corticosterone concentration was evaluated by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The LFN groups were exposed to 32.5Hz and 125Hz of noise(4hr/day for 2days). The numbers of c-fos and TH-immunoreactive cells in the PVN and LC were significantly increased in the LFN groups(32.5Hz and 125Hz) compared to the normal group. Corticosterone concentration in plasma was also increased in LFN groups. The present results demonstrated that exposure with LFN produced a pronounced increase in expression of c-Fos and TH in stress-relevant brain areas. These results suggest that the neural characteristics involved in LFN are similar to those activated by typical processive stressors. These results also suggest that the central and peripheral activations by LFN may be related to LFN-related negative behavioral dysfunctions such as VADs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2020

Seakso 1, a maize hybrid, was developed in 2008 by Gangwon Agricultural Research and Extension Services in Korea and registered in 2011. It is single-cross hybrid, semi-flint, deep-purple variety of corn, variety of are yellow, while the husks and cobs are purple. Due to the sensitivity of Seakso 1 to excess moisture after seeding, water supply should be carefully managed, and it should be harvested at a suitable time to obtain the highest anthocyanin content. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of Saekso 1 corn husk and cob extracts (EHCS) in oleic acid-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells. EHCS showed a high level of lipid accumulation inhibiting effect. EHCS also suppressed triglyceride accumulation and inhibited expression of lipid marker genes, such as sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and sterol regulatory element binding protein-1a (SREBP-1a). Analysis by western blot of the expression of p-AMPK, p-SREBP1, PPARα, and FAS proteins showed that the incidence of SREBP1 protein, a major factor involved in lipid metabolism in the liver, has decreased significantly after treatment with the extracts. Moreover, the protein-induced expression of FAS, a major enzyme involved in the biosynthetic pathways of fatty acids, was decreased significantly in all concentrations. These results suggest that EHCS is a potent agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.448-468
• /
• 1996

To maintain its functional integrity, bone is continuously remodelled by a process involving resorption by osteoeclasts and formation by osteoblasts, In order to respond to changes in the physical environment or to trauma with the relevant action, this process is strictly regulated by locally synthesized or systemic fators, Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2$) is perhaps one of the best studied factors, having been known to affect bone cell function for several decades.$PGE_2$ has both anabolic and catabolic activities. Excess of $PGE_2$ has been implicated in a number of pathological states associated with bone loss in a number of chronic inflammatory conditions such as periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. $PGE_2$ and other arachidonic acid metabolites have been shown to be potent stimulators of osteoclastic bone resorption in organ culture. The anabolic effects of $PGE_2$ were first noticed when an increase in periosteal woven bone formation was seen after the infusion of $PGE_2$ into infants in order to prevent closure of the ductus arteriosus. The cellular basis for the catabolic actions of $PGE_2$ has been well characterized. $PGE_2$increases osteoclast recruitment in bone marrow cell cultures. Also $PGE_2$ has a direct action on osteoclast serving to inhibit activity and can also indirectly activate osteoclast via other cells in the vicinity, presumably osteoblast. The cellular mechanisms for the anabolic actions of $PGE_2$ are not nearly so well understood. The purpose of this paper was to study the effects of $PGE_2$ and dibutyl(DB)cAMP on osteoblastic clone MC3T3El cells and on the generation of osteoclasts from their precursor cells. The effect of $PGE_2$ and DBcAMP on the induction of alkaline phoaphatase(AlP) was investigated in osteoblastic clone MC3T3El cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. $PGE_2$ and DBcAMP stimulated ALP activity and MTT assay in the cells in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations of lO-SOOng/ml. Cycloheximide, protein synthesis inhibitor, inhibited the stimulative effect of $PGE_2$ and DBcAMP on ALP activity in the cells. $PGE_2$also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 500ng/ml. The effect of $PGE_2$ on the generation of osteoclasts was investigated in a coculture system of mouse bone marrow cells with primary osteoblastic cells cultured in media containing 10% fetal bovine serum.After cultures, staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)-marker enzyme of osteoclast was performed. The TRAP(+) multinucleated cells(MNCs), which have 3 or more nuclei, were counted. More TRAP(+) MNCs were formed in coculture system than in control group. $PGE_2(10^{-5}10^{-6}M)$ stimulated the formation of osteoclast cells from mouse bone marrow cells in culture. $PGE_2(10^{-6}M)$ stimulated the formation of osteoclast cells from mouse bone marrow cells in coculture of osteoblastic clone MC3T3E1 cells This results suggest that $PGE_2$ stimulates the differentiation of osteoblasts and generation of osteoclast, and are involved in bone formation, as well as in bone resorption.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.309-316
• /
• 2008

This study was carried out to examine the effects of vitamin E on chronic gastric ulcer induced by alcohol treatment in rats. Chronic gastric ulcer model was established by oral administration of 70% ethanol at one time and supply of 15% ethanol for additional 7 days. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately 200 g, were fasted for 24 hours and orally gavaged with 1 mL of 70% ethanol for the induction of acute ulcer. A supply of 15% ethanol dissolved in distilled water for 7 days were followed to maintain chronic gastric ulcer. Acute ulcer group was sacrificed at 3 hours after oral administration of 1 mL of 70% ethanol. Chronic groups were divided into three groups according to vitamin E levels; low-vitamin E (LVE, 0 mg/mL oil/day), normalvitamin E (NVE, 1 mg/mL oil/day) and high-vitamin E (HVE, 10 mg/mL oil/day). These groups were fed vitamin E free diets which were made of vitamin E free vitamin mix followed AIN-93M pattern for 7 days. Histological findings of congestion, hemorrhage and necrosis in gastric tissue were shown severely in acute ulcer group and LVE group of chronic ulcer groups. The concentration of gastrin in serum was significantly higher in LVE group. The content of histamine in stomach was lower in acute ulcer group but there was no significant difference among the chronic groups regardless of vitamin E levels. Content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in gastric tissue was higher in HVE group and activities of antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase, were lower in HVE group. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities as a marker of neutrophils infiltration was significantly higher in LVE group. These results suggested that vitamin E supplementation has positive effects on healing of alcohol-induced chronic gastric ulcer through alleviation of gastric tissue injuries and reduction of the MPO activity in gastric tissue and gastrin in serum.

• Laboratory Medicine Online
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.25-30
• /
• 2016

Background: The cell cycle-dependent enzyme thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is known to increase during cancer cell proliferation and has been reported as a prognostic marker for various hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. This study aimed to determine the reference interval in Korean healthy controls and to evaluate the usefulness of TK1 as a biomarker for aggressive clinical behavior in B-cell lymphoma patients. Methods: We enrolled 72 previously untreated patients with B-cell lymphoma and 143 healthy controls. Serum TK1 levels were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassay ($Liaison^{(R)}$, DiaSorin, USA). We established the reference intervals in healthy controls. The diagnostic performance of serum TK1 was studied using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the correlation between the cutoff level for serum TK1 and clinical characteristics of B-cell lymphoma was evaluated. Results: The reference range (95th percentile) of serum TK1 in healthy controls was 5.4-21.8 U/L. There was a clear difference in TK1 levels between patients with B-cell lymphoma and healthy controls ($40.6{\pm}68.5$ vs. $11.8{\pm}4.4U/L$, P <0.001). The area under the curve of serum TK1 for the diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma was 0.73 (cutoff, 15.2 U/L; sensitivity, 59.7%; specificity, 83.2%). An increased TK1 level (${\geq}15.2U/L$) correlated with the advanced clinical stage (P <0.001), bone marrow involvement (P =0.013), international prognostic index score (P =0.001), lactate dehydrogenase level (P =0.001), low Hb level (<12 g/dL) (P =0.028), and lymphocyte count (P =0.023). Conclusions: The serum TK1 level could serve as a useful biomarker for aggressive clinical behavior in B-cell lymphoma patients.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.8
• /
• pp.904-915
• /
• 2019

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most metastatic tumor. Although hormone therapy or surgical castration is mostly conducted to treat PCa, it has a lot of side effects. Recently, many researchers have been exploring the tumor microenvironment to remedy these circumstances. Immune cells, especially macrophages, are an important composition of the tumor microenvironment. Under normal conditions, macrophages exhibit mild tumoricidal activity against tumors. However, once activated by interferon gamma or lipopolysaccharides, macrophages can kill cancer cells directly or indirectly by secreting cytokines and chemokines. In this study, murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were treated with Phellinus linteus extract. To analyze their pro-inflammatory phenotype, we were used several assays such as a real-time polymerase chain reaction, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent and nitric oxide assay. Prostate cancer cells were treated with the RAW 264.7-conditioned media, which was identified as a pro-inflammatory nature, for 48 h, and the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes was determined. Not only N-cadherin, Snail, Twist, Slug, and Cadherin 11, which are mechenchymal-related proteins, were decrease, but epithelial marker of E-cadherin was increased. In addition, the mRNA level of vimentin, ccl2, and vegfa were decreased, as the EMT is closely related to the migration and invasion of cancer cells. In conclusion, the RAW 264.7-conditioned media stimulated with P. linteus extract inhibited migration and invasion and regulated the EMT pathway in human prostate cancer cells.