• Title/Summary/Keyword: Methods of Expression

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Relationship of serum IL-13 and eotaxin level with airway hyperresponsiveness in children with asthma (소아 천식 환아에서 혈청 IL-13 및 eotaxin 농도와 기관지과민성의 관계)

  • Park, Eun Young;Shim, Jung Yeon;Yoo, Myung Hwan;Kim, Deok Soo;Shim, Jae Won;Jung, Hye Lim;Park, Moon Soo
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.49 no.8
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    • pp.889-894
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    • 2006
  • Purpose : Asthma is characterized by the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness(AHR) and inflammation. The extensive eosinophil infiltration into the lung is the hallmark of asthma and contributes to the damage of respiratory epithelium during late phase airway responses. Eotaxin is the major eosinophil chemoattractant found in bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) fluid of allergic inflammation. IL-13 has been known to induce the expression of exotaxin and eosinophilia. IL-13 also induces airway inflammation, mucus production and leads to marked fibrosis, airway remodeling and AHR. We investigated whether serum IL-13 levels can reflect the presence of airway hyperresponsiveness in children with asthma, and the relationship between serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels. Methods : Using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels were measured in 13 atopic asthmatics, 5 atopic non-asthmatics and 12 control subjects. Metacholine challenge tests were performed in all subjects. Airway hyperresponsiveness to metacholine was expressed as provocative concentration of metacholine causing a 20% fall in FEV1[$PC_{20}mg/mL$]. $PC_{20}$ value of 25 mg/mL was used as a cut-off for defining a AHR. Results : Serum IL-13 levels showed positive correlation with eotaxin levels. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels showed no differences among atopic asthmatics, atopic non-asthmatics and control subjects. And there were no differences serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels in children with and without AHR and atopy. Serum IL-13 and eotaxin levels did not correlate with $logPC_{20}$ levels. Conclusion : IL-13 is closely related to the eotaxin release. But serum IL-13 and eotaxin per se can't predict the severity of airway hyperresponsiveness. IL-13 and eotaxin may have local effect on respiratory epithelium or there can be some factors to induce airway hyperresponsiveness other than serum IL-13 in asthmatic airways.

Clinical Characteristics and Genetic Analysis of Prader-Willi Syndrome (Prader-Willi 증후군의 임상 양상 및 유전학적 진단에 관한 고찰)

  • Lee, Ji Eun;Moon, Kwang Bin;Hwang, Jong Hee;Kwon, Eun Kyung;Kim, Sun Hee;Kim, Jong Won;Jin, Dong Kyu
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.45 no.9
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    • pp.1126-1133
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    • 2002
  • Purpose : Prader-Willi syndrome(PWS) is a complex disorder affecting multisystems with characteristic clinical features. Its genetic basis is an expression defect in the paternally derived chromosome 15q11-q13. We analyzed the clinical features and genetic basis of PWS patients for early detection and treatment. Methods : We retrospectively studied 24 patients with PWS in Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, from September 1997 to September 2001. We performed cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques using high resolution GTG banding techniques, fluorescent in situ hybridization and methylation-specific PCR for CpG island of SNRPN gene region. Results : The average birth weight of PWS patients was $2.67{\pm}0.47kg$ and median age at diagnosis was 1.3 years. The average height and weight of PWS patients under one year at diagnostic time were located in a 3-10 percentile relatively, and a rapid weight gain was seen between two and six years. Feeding problems in infancy and neonatal hypotonia were the two most consistently positive major criteria in over 95% of the patients. In 18 of the 24 cases(75%), deletion of chromosome 15q11-q13 was demonstrated and one case among 18 had an unbalanced 14;15 translocation. In four cases without any cytogenetic abnormality, it may be considered as maternal uniparental disomy and the rest showed another findings. Conclusion : We suggest diagnostic testing for PWS in all infants/neonates with unexplained feeding problems and hypotonia. It is necessary for clinically suspicious patients to undergo an early genetic test. As the genetic basis of PWS was heterogenous and complex, further study is required.

The effects of early allergen/endotoxin exposure on subsequent allergic airway inflammation to allergen in mouse model of asthma (생쥐 천식모델에서 생후 조기 알레르겐/내독소 노출이 성숙 후 알레르기 기도염증에 미치는 영향)

  • Rha, Yeong-Ho;Choi, Sun-Hee
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.53 no.4
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    • pp.481-487
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    • 2010
  • Purpose: Recently many studies show early exposure during childhood growth to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides, LPS) and/or early exposure to allergens exhibit important role in development of allergy including bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endotoxin and allergen exposure in early life via the airways in the pathogenesis of allergic airways inflammation and airway hyperresposiveness (AHR) in mouse model of asthma. Methods: Less than one week-old Balb/c mice was used. Groups of mice were received either a single intranasal instillation of sterile physiologic saline, 1% ovalbumin (OVA), LPS or $1.0{\mu}g$ LPS in 1% OVA. On 35th day, these animals were sensitized with 1% OVA for 10 consecutive days via the airways. Animals were challenged with ovalbumin for 3 days on 55th days, and airway inflammation, hyperresponsiveness, and cytokine expression were assessed. Measurements of airway function were obtained in unrestrained animals, using whole-body plethysmography. Airway responsiveness was expressed in terms of % enhanced pause (Penh) increase from baseline to aerosolized methacholine. Lung eosinophilia, serum OVA-IgE and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytokine levels were also assessed. ANOVA was used to determine the levels of difference between all groups. Comparisons for all pairs were performed by Tukey-Kramer honest significant difference test; $P$ values for significance were set to 0.05. Results: Sensitized and challenged mice with OVA showed significant airway eosinophilia and heightened responsiveness to methacholine. Early life exposure of OVA and/or LPS via the airway prevented both development of AHR as well as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid eosinophilia. Exposure with OVA or LPS also resulted in suppression of interleukin (IL)-4, 5 production in BAL fluid and OVA specific IgE in blood. Conclusion: These results indicate that antigen and/or LPS exposure in the early life results in inhibition of allergic responses to OVA in this mouse model of astham. Our data show that early life exposure with OVA and/or LPS may have a protective role in the development of allergic airway inflammation and development of allergen-induced airway responses in mouse model of asthma.

Quest of Wang Yak-heo(王若虚)'s Theories of Poetry - With a focus on Three Volumes of 「Talks on Chinses Poetry」 among "the Collected Writings of Wang Yak-heo"(滹南遺老集) (王若虚的詩論探究(왕약허의 시론 탐구) - 以《滹南遺老集》中的《詩話》三卷爲主(『호남유로집』 중 「시화」 3권을 중심으로) -)

  • Jang, Yung-Ki
    • (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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    • no.34
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    • pp.207-224
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    • 2009
  • This research is a quest of theories of poetry of Wang Yak-heo who was a literary critic during Chin(金) dynasty in ancient China. Wang Yak-heo left a fine piece of work, dubbed ${\ll}$Honam Yuro Jib${\gg}$ and, in this paper, the author closely reviewed the theories of poetry that is appeared, especially, in the three volumes of ${\ll}$Talks on Chinese Poetry${\gg}$ among the collections of Wang's poetry criticism. In particular, the author investigated the positive and negative aspects of Honam's commentaries on the works by Chinese poets, including his principles of poetics, creative skills, and practical criticism, etc. Wang Yak-heo has not been known much in the history of Chinese literary thoughts, however, his theory of criticism, especially, among the talks on Chinese the works by Chinese poets, his literature criticisms establish unique and distinctive point of views. Wang Yak-heo's poetics, more than anything else, valued nature, meanings, truth, and contents therein. He exhibited realistic view of literature. Meanwhile, he analyzed the methods of expression by Du Bo(杜甫, pronounced, "Du Fu" in Chinese), So Sik, also known as So Dong Pa (蘇軾, Su Shi or 蘇東坡, Su Dong Po in Chinese), and Hwang Jeong-gyeon(黃庭堅, Huang T'ing-chien), and highly evaluated the realistic poems written by Du Bo, Baek Geo-I (白居易, pronounced, "Bai Juyi" in Chinese), and So Sik. Also, he opposed to formalism or externality, however, he never made light of formality of poetry. In his comments on the works by Chinese poets, he highly evaluated the poems sung by So Sik and Beek Geo-I, in the mean time, however, he criticized their works without hesitation. Having set up his own unique criteria for critique, Wang didn't accept other opinions in a seemingly illogical manner, and he presented what he thoughts and other different points of view from others. Specifically, he attached great importance to whether or not modification of words and phrases, grammar, and whole context were congruent to one another and had been well harmonized. However, in his poetics, Wang was so wrapped himself in reasonableness or rationality, he analyzed each and every word in great detailed manner, as the result, he sometimes didn't read the sentiment or mood that the writers intended to express through poems. He excessively restricted himself to the words and phrases, so that he was not able to realize natural emotions and joy of imagination that were presented in the poems, and, in the end, this brought about adverse effects to the poet's thought.

A Study on the Digital Drawing of Archaeological Relics Using Open-Source Software (오픈소스 소프트웨어를 활용한 고고 유물의 디지털 실측 연구)

  • LEE Hosun;AHN Hyoungki
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.82-108
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    • 2024
  • With the transition of archaeological recording method's transition from analog to digital, the 3D scanning technology has been actively adopted within the field. Research on the digital archaeological digital data gathered from 3D scanning and photogrammetry is continuously being conducted. However, due to cost and manpower issues, most buried cultural heritage organizations are hesitating to adopt such digital technology. This paper aims to present a digital recording method of relics utilizing open-source software and photogrammetry technology, which is believed to be the most efficient method among 3D scanning methods. The digital recording process of relics consists of three stages: acquiring a 3D model, creating a joining map with the edited 3D model, and creating an digital drawing. In order to enhance the accessibility, this method only utilizes open-source software throughout the entire process. The results of this study confirms that in terms of quantitative evaluation, the deviation of numerical measurement between the actual artifact and the 3D model was minimal. In addition, the results of quantitative quality analysis from the open-source software and the commercial software showed high similarity. However, the data processing time was overwhelmingly fast for commercial software, which is believed to be a result of high computational speed from the improved algorithm. In qualitative evaluation, some differences in mesh and texture quality occurred. In the 3D model generated by opensource software, following problems occurred: noise on the mesh surface, harsh surface of the mesh, and difficulty in confirming the production marks of relics and the expression of patterns. However, some of the open source software did generate the quality comparable to that of commercial software in quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Open-source software for editing 3D models was able to not only post-process, match, and merge the 3D model, but also scale adjustment, join surface production, and render image necessary for the actual measurement of relics. The final completed drawing was tracked by the CAD program, which is also an open-source software. In archaeological research, photogrammetry is very applicable to various processes, including excavation, writing reports, and research on numerical data from 3D models. With the breakthrough development of computer vision, the types of open-source software have been diversified and the performance has significantly improved. With the high accessibility to such digital technology, the acquisition of 3D model data in archaeology will be used as basic data for preservation and active research of cultural heritage.

Toll-like receptor 9 expression and interferon-α secretion upon CpG-ODN stimulation in allergic subjects (알레르기 환자에서 TLR9 ligand인 CpG-ODN 자극에 의한 IFN-α 분비와 TLR9 발현)

  • Han, Man Yong;Jee, Hye Mi;Kim, Hyeong Yoon;Lee, Cho Ae;Cho, Hyo-Jin;Hwang, Seong-Gyu;Kim, Kyu-Earn
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.52 no.9
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    • pp.1015-1020
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    • 2009
  • Purpose:The aim of this study is to explore the effect of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) that respond to antigen to Th2 immune deviation in allergic patients. Methods:Subjects consisted of 19 allergic patients and 17 healthy volunteers. Skin prick tests and nasal provocation tests were performed for the two groups. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from subjects and analyzed for the Lineage Cocktail (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, CD20, CD56) (-), HLA-DR (+), and CD123 (+) using flow cytometry. In addition, we analyzed TLR9 mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The level of $interferon-{\alpha}$ ($IFN-{\alpha}$) of the PBMCs following stimulation with the TLR9 ligand CpG-ODN 2216 was also evaluated. Results:Analyses of CD123 (+) revealed a nearly similar distribution for the classical pDC markers in the allergic group ($0.1%{\pm}0.04%$) and in the controls ($0.25%{\pm}0.23%$). The mRNA levels of TLR9 on PBMCs were not different between the allergic group and the controls ($1.29{\pm}0.41$ vs. $1.25{\pm}0.23$, respectively). Additionally, the level of $IFN-{\alpha}$ in PBMCs exposed to stimuli of the TLR9 ligand CpG-ODN 2216 was not significantly different between the two groups ($911{\pm}829$ vs. $1,095{\pm}888pg/mL$, respectively). Conclusion:We found no evidence that TLR9-dependent immune responses in human pDCs are associated with allergic status.

Very Small Putative Stem Cells Detected in Human Endometrium (인간 자궁내막에서 발견되는 극소형 추정줄기세포)

  • Choi, Jong-Ryeol;Joo, Jong-Kil;Jun, Eun-Sook;Ko, Kyoung-Rae;Lee, Hong-Gu;Lee, Kyu-Sup;Kim, Won-Gyu
    • Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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    • v.37 no.2
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    • pp.99-113
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    • 2010
  • Objective: It has been recently reported that very small stem cells with pluripotency are detected in murine and human. The purposes of this study are to confirm whether very small putative stem cells (VSPSCs), which have the proper characteristics of stem cells as well as the expression of stem cell markers, are detected in human endometrium. Methods: The endometrial cells of 5 women, which were obtained by endometrial biopsy, were cultured for 2 weeks and were confirmed for the expressions of alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4 by immunochemistry. Subsequently VSPSCs were separated by percoll density gradient method and were cultured. Also VSPSCs and their derived cells were confirmed for the expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4. Results: The colonies, which is composed with VSPSCs less than 3 ${\mu}m$ and the 5~15 ${\mu}m$ sized hyperchromatic round cells, were detected in the endometrium of all of women and showed the strong expressions of alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4. In culture after the separation of VSPSCs by percoll, these cells showed the morphological and functional characteristics of stem cells; self-renewal, colony formation, embryoid body-like formation and differential plasticity. VSPSCs formed gradually the 5~15 ${\mu}m$ sized hyperchromatic round cells and the 10~20 ${\mu}m$ sized sphere-shaped cells by cell-to-cell aggregation or cell fusion. Then these cells differentiated the various cells including fibroblast-like cells, nerve-like cells and endothelium-like cells. VSPSCs and their derived cells often showed the strong expressions of OCT-4 and CXCR4. Conclusion: VSPSCs less than 3 ${\mu}m$ and their derived cells are detected in human endometrium and these cells have the proper characteristics of stem cells and the expressions of stem cell markers as alkaline phosphatase, OCT-4 and CXCR4.

Effect of titanium surface microgrooves and thermal oxidation on in vitro osteoblast responses (마이크로그루브 및 열산화 복합 티타늄 표면의 골아세포분화 증진효과)

  • Seo, Jin-Ho;Lee, Richard sungbok;Ahn, Su-Jin;Park, Su-Jung;Lee, Myung-Hyun;Lee, Suk Won
    • The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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    • v.53 no.3
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    • pp.198-206
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    • 2015
  • Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effect of combined various microgrooves and thermal oxidation on the titanium (Ti) and to evaluate various in vitro responses of human periodontal ligament cells (PLCs). Materials and methods: Grade II titanium disks were fabricated. Microgrooves were applied on titanium discs to have $0/0{{\mu}m}$, $15/3.5{{\mu}m}$, $30/10{{\mu}m}$, and $60/10{{\mu}m}$ of respective width/depth by photolithography. Thermal oxidation was performed on the microgrooves of Ti substrata for 3 h at $700^{\circ}C$ in air. The experiments were divided into 3 groups: control group (ST), thermal oxidation group (ST/TO), and combined microgrooves and thermal oxidation group (Gr15-TO, Gr30-TO, Gr60-TO). Surface characterization was performed by field-emission scanning microscopy. Cell adhesion, osteoblastic differentiation, and mineralization were analyzed using the bromodeoxyurdine (BrdU), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and extracellular calcium deposition assays, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the oneway analysis of variance and Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis (SPSS Version 17.0). Results: In general, the combined microgrooves and thermal oxidation group (Gr15-TO, Gr30-TO, Gr60-TO) showed significantly higher levels compared with the control (ST) or thermal oxidation (ST-TO) groups in the BrdU expression, ALP activity, and extracellular calcium deposition. Gr60-TO group induced highest levels of cell adhesion and osteoblastic differentiation. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, we conclude that the Ti surface treatment using combined microgrooves and thermal oxidation is highly effective in inducing the cell adhesion andosteoblastic differentiation. The propose surface is also expected to be effective in inducing rapid and strong osseointegration of Ti oral implants.

Comparison of PCR-RFLP and Real-Time PCR for Allelotyping of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of RRM1, a Lung Cancer Suppressor Gene (폐암 억제유전자 RRM1의 단일염기다형성 검사를 위한 PCR-RFLP법과 Real-Time PCR법의 유용성 비교)

  • Jeong, Ju-Yeon;Kim, Mi-Ran;Son, Jun-Gwang;Jung, Jong-Pil;Oh, In-Jae;Kim, Kyu-Sik;Kim, Young-Chul
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.62 no.5
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    • pp.406-416
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    • 2007
  • Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which consist of a substitution of a single nucleotide pair, are the most abundant form of genetic variations occurring with a frequency of approximately 1 per 1000 base pairs. SNPs by themselves do not cause disease but can predispose humans to disease, modify the extent or severity of the disease or influence the drug response and treatment efficacy. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), particularly those within the regulatory regions of the genes often influence the expression levels and can modify the disease. Studies examining the associations between SNP and the disease outcome have provided valuable insight into the disease etiology and potential therapeutic intervention. Traditionally, the genotyping of SNPs has been carried out using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP), which is a low throughput technique not amenable for use in large-scale SNP studies. Recently, TaqMan real-time PCR chemistry was adapted for use in allelic discrimination assays. This study validated the accuracy and utility of real-time PCR technology for SNPs genotyping Methods: The SNPs in promoter sequence (-37 and -524) of lung cancer suppressor gene, RRM1 (ribonucleotide reductase M1 subunit) with the genomic DNA samples of 89 subjects were genotyped using both real-time PCR and PCR-RFLP. Results: The discordance rates were 2.2% (2 mismatches) in -37 and 16.3% (15 mismatches) in -524. Auto-direct sequencing of all the mismatched samples(17 cases) were in accord with the genotypes read by real-time PCR. In addition, 138 genomic DNAs were genotyped using real-time PCR in a duplicate manner (two separated assays). Ninety-eight percent of the samples showed concordance between the two assays. Conclusion: Real-time PCR allelic discrimination assays are amenable to high-throughput genotyping and overcome many of the problematic features associated with PCR-RFLP.

The Effect of Antihistamine on Endotoxin-induced Acute Lung Injury (내독소 유도 급성폐손상에서 항히스타민의 역할)

  • Jung, Bock-Hyun;Koh, Youn-Suck;Kim, Won-Dong
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.52 no.3
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    • pp.219-229
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    • 2002
  • Background : Sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) is caused by many cellular and humoral mediators induced by an endotoxin. Histamine, which is widely distributed in the lungs and has been considered as an important mediator of sepsis. It increases P-selectin expression on the endothelial cell surfaces and induces IL-8 secretion. Therefore, an endotoxin-induced histamine may be related to neutrophil-mediated ALI by inducing the migration and activation of neutrophils in the lung tissue. However, the role of endogenous histamine in endotoxin ALI has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to investigate how endotoxin-induced ALI is influenced by endogenous histamine and to identify the possible mechanism of action. Materials and Methods : The study consisted of 4 groups using Sprague-Dawley rats : 1) control group, where the rats were infused intratracheally by normal saline, 2) an endotoxin group, where lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered intratracheally 3) the $H_2$ receptor antagonist-treated group ($H_2$ group) and 4) the $H_1$ receptor antagonist-treated group ($H_1$ group), where $H_2$-receptor blocker (ranitidine) and $H_1$-receptor blocker(pyrilamine) were co-treated intravenously with the intratracheal administration of an endotoxin. The lung leak index using $I^{125}$-BSA, the total protein and LDH concentration in the lung lavage fluid, myeloperoxidase(MPO) activity in the lung tissue, the pathologic score and the total number of neutrophils, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-10 in lung lavage (BAL) fluid were measured in each group as the indices of lung injury. Results : Compared to the control group, the endotoxin group exhibited significant increases in all lung injury indices. Significant reductions in the endotoxin-mediated increases in lung leak index (p<0.05) were observed in both the $H_1$ and $H_2$ groups. In addition the total protein (p<0.05) and LDH concentration (p<0.05) in the BAL fluid were also lower in the $H_2$ group compared to the endotoxin group. However, there was no change in the MPO activity in the lung tissue, the pathologic score and the total number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid in both the $H_2$ and $H_1$ groups compared to the endotoxin group. The increases in TNF-$\alpha$ IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-10 concentrations in the BAL fluid observed in the endotoxin group were not reduced in the $H_2$ and $H_1$ groups. Conclusion : Antihistamine attenuated the enhanced alveolar-capillary permeability induced by the endotoxin via the $H_2$ receptor. However the attenuating mechanism may not be related to the pathogenesis of neutrophil dependent lung injury.