• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.131-145
• /
• 2009

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has become an assisted reproductive technique for couples who are at risk that enables them to have unaffected baby without facing the risk of pregnancy termination after invasive prenatal diagnosis. The molecular biology and technology for single-cell genetics has reached an extremely high level of accuracy, and has enabled the possibility of performing multiple diagnoses on one cell using whole genome amplification. These technological advances have contributed to the avoidance of misdiagnosis in PGD for single gene disorders. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based PGD will lead to a significant increase in the number of disorders diagnosed and will find more widespread use, benefiting many more couples who are at risk of transmitting an inherited disease to their baby. In this review, we will focus on the molecular biological techniques that are currently in use in the most advanced centers for PGD for single gene disorders, including biopsy procedure, multiplex PCR and post-PCR diagnostic methods, and multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and the problems in the single cell genetic analysis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.9
• /
• pp.1126-1133
• /
• 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.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 2018

This study has been conducted to see the expression of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc, Erb-B2 and $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ genes in ethanol - damaged liver tissues. Experimental groups were divided into 2 groups, one where damaged liver was caused by 25% ethanol and normal group administered with purified water. Results of test showed the expression of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc, and $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ genes was higher in the experimental group treated with 25% ethanol than in the normal group. Erb-B2 gene was not expressed clearly. Thus, it is considered that we can expect to utilize $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc 및 $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ as auxiliary data and find clinical meanings of diagnosis on hepatic diseases, In addition to serologic and histological examination by convergence examining the gene expression status by molecular diagnostic techniques in liver-related disease prevention and diagnosis through results of this study.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.401-408
• /
• 1987

Nine monoclonal antibodies directed against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) were prepared by using cell hybridization technique, and the biological properties of the antibodies were investigated by means of immunofluorescence, serum neutralization, and electrophoretic analysis. Eight of 9 monoclonal antibodies reacted specifically with the antigenic constituents of IBRV, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, Marek's disease virus, turkey herpesvirus, hog cholera virus, porcine parvovirus and transmissible gastroenteritis virus. However, the remaining one, 26-2 clone, was found to be cross-reactive with pseudorabies virus. Two monoclonal antibodies, 7-C-2 and 12-A-2, which had neutralizing activity, were reactive with the molecular weights of 72 kilo daltons (72K) and 125K of IBRV proteins electrophoretically separated, respectively. The monoclonal antibody, 3-H-3, which is corresponding to 94K of IBRV proteins, revealed no neutralizing activity. The cross-reactive monoclonal antibody, 26-2, was proved by electrophoretical analysis to be reactive with 100K of IBRV proteins and 40K of pseudorabies virus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.13
• /
• pp.5449-5454
• /
• 2014

Although genetic characteristics are considered to be a factor influencing the geographic variation in the prevalence of gallbladder cancer (GBC), they have not been well studied in Bolivia, which has a high prevalence rate of GBC. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of TP53 and K-ras mutations in Bolivian patients with GBC and to compare them with our previous data obtained in other high-GBC-prevalence countries, namely Japan, Chile, and Hungary. DNA was extracted from cancer sites in paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 patients using a microdissection technique. TP53 mutations at exons 5 to 8 and K-ras mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 were examined using direct sequencing techniques. The data obtained were compared with those in the other high-GBC-prevalence countries. Of the 36 patients, 18 (50.0%) had a TP53 mutation (one mutation in each of 17 patients and three mutations in one patient), and only one (2.8%) had a K-ras mutation. Of the 20 TP53 mutations, 12 were of the transition type (60.0%). This rate was significantly lower than that in Chile (12/12, P<0.05). In addition, three mutations were of the CpG transition type (15.0%), which is a feature of endogenous mutation. All three were found in the hot spot region of the TP53 gene. In contrast, G:C to T:A transversion was found in Bolivia, suggesting the presence of exogenous carcinogens. Our findings suggest that the development of GBC in Bolivia is associated with both exogenous carcinogens and endogenous mechanisms. The identification of an environmental risk factor for GBC is needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2005

Fatty acid compositions of the seed oils of P. schinseng, A. continentalis and A. sessiliflorus, were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with a capillary column. A large unusual peak was observed just before the peak corresponding to oleic acid $(cis-9-C_{18:1})$. This unknown fatty acid was isolated by silver ion chromatography and then derivatized into the picolinyl ester. The mass spectrum of the picolinyl ester showed molecular ion at m/z=373 with other diagnostic ions such as m/z=178, 218, 232, 246, 274, 288, 302 and 344. Characteristic absorption peaks at $720\;cm^{-1}$, $1640\;cm^{-1}$ and $3010\;cm^{-1}$ in IR spectrum indicated the presence of cis-configurational double bond in the molecule. The $^1H-NMR$ spectrum of this acid gave two quintets centered at ${\delta}1.638$ (2H, C-3) and ${\delta}1.377$ (2H, C-4), and two multiplets centered at ${\delta}2.022{\sim}2.047$ (2H, C-5) and ${\delta}2.000{\sim}2.022$ (2H, C-8), and multiplet signals of olefinic protons centered at ${\delta}5.3015{\sim}5.3426$ (C-6, J=9.5 Hz) and ${\delta}\;5.3465{\sim}5.3877$ (C-7, J=9.5 Hz). The $^13C-NMR$ spectrum showed 18 carbon resonance signals including an overlapped signal at ${\delta}29.7002$ for C-12 and ${\delta}29.6520$ for C-13 (or they can be reversed), and other highly resolved signals at ${\delta}33.950$, ${\delta}24.558$, ${\delta}26.773$ and ${\delta}27.205$ due to C-2, C-3, C-5 and C-8 of a ${\Delta}^6-octadecenoic$ acid, respectively. From analysis results this unknown fatty acid could be identified as cis-6-octadecenoic acid. The seed oils of P. schinseng and A. sessiliflorus contained petroselinic acid (59.7%, 56.0%), oleic acid (18.3%, 6.1%) and linoleic acid (16.2%, 30.4%) with small amount of palmitic acid (3.0%, 3.1%) while the seed oil of A. continentalis comprised mainly oleic acid (30.2%), petroselinic acid (29.0%), linoleic acid (24.1%) and palmitic acid (13.1%).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.142-148
• /
• 1995

Background: Despite modern diagnostic, staging, and therapeutic advances, esp. with molecular biologic techniques, the 5-year survival rate of all cases of lung cancer does not exceed 15%. Also, the incidence of lung cancer of both sex in Korea is increasing year by year and the lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. Therefore, it is strongly needed to develop the new combination of treatment modalities including neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to identify tumor specific characteristics with staging or prognostic markers. Here we present the clinical significance of several biologic tumor markers to use as a prognostic markers in patients with non-small cell lung cancers. Method: The survival has correlated with the expressibility of proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), p53 and/or blood group antigen A(BGAA) using immunohistochemistry in 46 patients with non-small cell lung cancers. Results: 1) The expression rates of PCNA, EGFR, p53 and BGAA were 80.6%, 61.3%, 45.9% and 64.3%, respectively and those were not correlated to cell types or clinical stges. 2) The expression of BGAA was correlated with better survival in median survival and in 2-year survival rate and that of PCNA was correlated with worse survival in median survival and 2-year survival rate. 3) The expression of EGFR or p53 was not valuable to predict prognosis in non-small cell lung cancers. 4) With simultaneous applications of PCNA, EGFR and p53 immunostain, the patients with 2 or more negative expressions showed better prognosis than the patients with 2 or more positive expressions. Conclusion: It is suggested that the expression of blood group antigen may be a positive prognostic factor and that of PCNA may be a negative prognostic factor. Also, the combination of expressions of PCNA, EGFR and p53 may be used as a negative prognostic factor.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.175-178
• /
• 2009

The 22q11.2 duplication syndrome is an extremely variable disorder with a phenotype ranging from normal to congenital defects and learning disabilities. Recently, the detection rate of 22q11.2 duplication has been increased by molecular techniques, such as array CGH. In this study, we report a familial case of 22q11.2 duplication detected prenatally. Her first pregnancy was terminated because of 22q11.2 duplication detected incidentally by BAC array CGH. The case was referred due to second pregnancy with same 22q11.2 duplication. We perfomed repeat amniocentesis for karyotype and FISH analysis. Karyotype analysis from amniocytes and parental lymphocytes were normal, while FISH analysis of interphase cells presented a duplication of 22q11.2 in the fetus and phenotypically normal mother. The fetal ultrasound showed grossly normal finding. After genetic counseling about variable phenotype with intrafamilial variability with 50% recurrence rate, the couple decided to continue the pregnancy. The newborn had no apparent congenital abnormalities until 2 weeks after birth. We recommend that family members of patients with a 22q11.2 duplication be tested by the interphase FISH analysis. Also, we point out the importance of genetic counseling and an evaluation of the clinical relevance of diagnostic test results.

• 한국환경농학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2009.07a
• /
• pp.273-282
• /
• 2009

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) disease group are fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting a wide range of hosts. The group includes kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, scrapie in sheep and goats and Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. The exact nature of the infectious agent involved in the transmission of these diseases remains controversial. However, a central event in their pathogenesis is the accumulation in infected tissues of an abnormal form of a host-encoded protein, the prion protein (PrP). Whereas the normal cellular protein is fully sensitive to protease ($PrP^{sen}$), the disease-associated prion protein ($PrP^d$) is only partly degraded ($PrP^{res}$), its amino-terminal end being removed. BSE was first reported in the mid-80s in the UK. Ten years later, a new form of human prion disease, variant CJD (vCJD) developed in the wake of the BSE epidemic, and there is now strong scientific evidence that vCJD was initiated by the exposure of humans to BSE-infected tissues, thus indicating a zoonotic disease. However, the ban on the feeding of animal-derived proteins to ruminants, and the apparent lack of vertical transmission of BSE, have led to a decline in the incidence of the disease within cattle herd and therefore, an assumed decreased risk for human contacting vCJD. The origin of the original case(s) of BSE still remains an enigma even though three hypotheses have been raised. Hypotheses are i) sheep- or goat-derived scrapie-infected tissues included in meat and bone meal fed to cattle, ii) a previously undetected sporadic or genetic bovine TSE contaminating cattle feed or iii) originating from a human TSE through animal feed contaminated with human remains. A host cellular membrane protein ($PrP^C$), which is abundant in central nervous system tissue, appear to be conformationally altered in the diseased host into a prion protein ($PrP^{Sc}$). This $PrP^{Sc}$ is detergent insoluble and partially protease-resistant ($PrP^{res}$). The term $PrP^{res}$ is normally used to describe the protein detected after protease treatment, in techniques such as Western immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay using fresh/frozen tissue. Immunohistochemistry may performed with formalin-fixed tissues. Also, clinical signs of the BSE are one of the major diagnostic indicators. Recently, atypical forms (known as H- and L-type) of BSE have appeared in several European countries, Japan, Canada and the United States. An unusual case was also reported in a miniature zebu. The atypical BSE fall into two groups based on the relative molecular mass (Mm) of the unglycosylated $PrP^{res}$ band relative to that of classical BSE, one of the higher Mm (H-type) and the other lower (L-type). Both types have been detected worldwide as rare cases in older animals, at a low prevalence consistent with the possibility of sporadic forms of prion diseases in cattle. This raises the unwelcome possibility that vCJD could increase in the human population. Now, active surveillance program against BSE is going on in Korea. In regional veterinary service lab, ELISA is applied to screen the BSE in slaughter and confirmatory tests by Western immunoblotting and immunohistochemisty are carried out if there are positive or suspect in the screening test. Also, the ruminant feed ban is rigorously enforced. Removal of specified risk materials such as brain and spinal cord from cattle is mandatory process at slaughter to prevent the infected material from entering the human food chain.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2001

In search for several fatty acid with unusual structure in vegetable oils, we have found that unknown peaks were shown on GLC in the analysis of fatty acids of the lipids from the pulp of ripened jujube (Zizypus jujuba var. inermis) fruits. These fatty acids were identified as a series of cis-monoenoic acids with ${\omega}-5$ double bond system such as $C_{14:1{\omega}5}$, $C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ and $C_{18:1{\omega}5}$, including ${\omega}-7$ fatty acid as $C_{16:1{\omega}7}$ and $C_{18:1{\omega}7}$, by GLC, solid-phase extraction silver ion-column chromatographic, GLC-mass spectrometric and IR techniques. First of all, total fatty acid methyl esters were resolved into saturated and branched fatty acid, monoenoic acid, dienoic acid, and trienoic acid fraction, respectively, with 100% dichloromethane (DCM), DCM/acetone (9:1, v/v) 100% acetone, and acetone/ acetonitrile (97:3, v/v) solvent system. Unknown fatty acids were included in the monoenoic fraction and were confirmed to have cis-configuration by IR. Picolinyl esters of monoenoic fatty acids gave distinct molecular ion peak and dominant diagnostic peaks, for example, m/z 317, 220 and 260 fragment for $cis-C_{14:1{\omega}5}$, m/z 345, m/z 248 and 288 fragment for $cis-C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ and m/z 373, m/z 276 and 316 fragment for $cis-C_{18:1{\omega}5}$. In this way the occurrence of $cis-C_{16:1{\omega}7}$ and $cis-C_{18:1{\omega}7}$ could be deduced from the appearance of prominent fragments as m/z 345, 220 and 260, and m/z 373, 248 and 280. Level of total ${\omega}-5$ fatty acids amounted to about 30% in the fatty acid composition with the predominance of $C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ $ (18.7{\sim}25.0%)$, in the semi-ripened and/or ripened samples collected in September 14 ($C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ ; 18.7%, $C_{14:1{\omega}5}$ ; 3.6% and $C_{18:1{\omega}5}$ ; 3.0%), September 22 ($C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ ; 25.0%, $C_{14:1{\omega}5}$ ; 1.4% and $C_{18:1{\omega}5}$ ; 2.6%), and October $7 (C_{16:1{\omega}5}$ ; 24.7%, $C_{14:1{\omega}5}$ ; 7.7% and $C_{18:1{\omega}5}$ ; 2.5%). However, the lipids extracted from unripened jujube in July and August contain these unusual fatty acids as low as negligible. It could be observed that the level of ${\omega}-5$ fatty acids in the pulps increased sharply with an elapse of ripening time of jujube fruits. Other monoenoic fatty acids with ${\omega}-7$ series, $C_{16:1{\omega}7}$ (palmitoleic acid) and $C_{18:1{\omega}7}$ (cis-vaccenic acid) could be detected. And in the lipids of the kernel and leaf of jujube, none of ${\omega}-5$ fatty acids could be detected.