• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.306-314
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• 2011

Objectives: Respiratory virus infections are the most common disease among all ages in all parts of the world and occur through airborne transmission. The purpose of this study was to detect and quantitate human respiratory viruses in residential environments. Methods: Air samples were collected from the residential space of apartments in the Seoul/Gyeonggi-do area. The samples were collected from indoor and outdoor air. Among respiratory viruses, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus were investigated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Among the virus-positive samples, we performed adenovirus quantification by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Virus detection rates were 44.0%, 3.8%, 3.4%, and 17.3% in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, respectively. The virus detection rate was higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Adenovirus was most commonly detected, followed by influenza A virus and parainfluenza virus. Virus distribution was not significantly different between indoor and outdoor environments. Conclusions: Although virus concentrations were not high in residential environments, residents in houses with detected viruses may have an increased risk of exposure to airborne respiratory viruses, especially in winter and spring.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.568-572
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• 2015

Acetes chinensis is an economically important shrimp that belongs to the Sergestidae family; following fermentation, A. chinensis' economic value, however, is low in China, and much of the catch in China is exported to Korea at a low price, thus leading to potential false labeling. For this reason, we developed a simple method to identify A. chinensis' origin using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from partial (i.e., 570 bp) DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial 16s rRNA gene in 96 Korean and 96 Chinese individual shrimp. Among 10 SNP sites, four sites were observed in populations from both countries, and two sites located in the middle with SNP sites at their 3'-ends were used to design allele-specific primers. Among the eight internal primers, the C220F primer specific to the Chinese A. chinensis population amplified a DNA fragment of 364 bp only from that population. We were able to identify the A. chinensis population origin with 100% accuracy using multiplex PCR performed with two external primers and C220F primers. These results show that the 16S rRNA gene that is generally used for the identification of species can be used for the identification of the origin within species of A. chinensis, which is an important finding for the fair trade of the species between Korea and China.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권10호
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• pp.4153-4158
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• 2014

Background: This study was aimed to establish a novel method to simultaneously detect expression of four genes, ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1(RRM1), X-ray repair cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1), thymidylate synthase (TS) and class III ${\beta}$-tubulin (TUBB3), and to assess their application in the clinic for prediction of response of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods: We have designed four gene molecular beacon (MB) probes for multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions to examine RRM1, XRCC1, TUBB3 and TS mRNA expression in paraffin-embedded specimens from 50 patients with advanced or metastatic carcinomas. Twenty one NSCLC patients receiving cisplatin-based first-line treatment were analyzed. Results: These molecular beacon probes could specially bind to their target genes in homogeneous solutions. Patients with low RRM1 and XRCC1 mRNA levels were found to have apparently higher response rates to chemoradiotherapy compared with those with high levels of RRM1 and XRCC1 expression (p<0.05). The TS gene expression level was not significantly associated with chemotherapy response (p>0.05). Conclusions: A method of simultaneously detecting four molecular markers was successfully established and applied for evaluation of chemoradiotherapy response. It may be a useful tool in personalized cancer therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.123-126
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• 2023

The prevalence of candidiasis, a contagious disease with high morbidity and mortality, has sharply increased globally over the last two decades. Candida albicans can cause serious infections in patients with weak immunity and in recipients of prolonged antibiotic treatment. Consequently, rapid and accurate identification of species can play an important role in the treatment of candidiasis. Here, we investigated the positive rate and infection trend of C. albicans according to age, specimen type, and sex using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based testing of samples collected for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases in Korea between 2018 and 2020. When the type of specimen collected was a swab, the positive rate of C. albicans was higher among younger women, and tended to decrease with age. Analysis of swab samples revealed higher positive rates than urinalysis. The reduction trend in positive rates by age was comparable between the overall samples and urine specimens. Among male patients, the positive rate did not differ substantially across the various types of specimens collected. Previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of non-albicans Candida species than C. albicans in clinical specimens, and exclusion of the former from our analysis may be a limitation of this study. However, our findings contribute significantly to the literature because globally, there is a paucity of epidemiological studies using molecular techniques to detect C. albicans in sexually transmitted disease test samples.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제53권3호
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• pp.397-407
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• 2010

목 적 : F9 유전자는 혈우병B의 병인 유전자이다. 기존의 RFLP를 이용한 연관분석은 정보제공율이 55.6%에 불과하였다. 직접 염기서열 분석법은 98%의 돌연변이를 진단할 수 있지만, 고가의 비용이 든다. 본 연구는 F9 유전자를 대상으로 돌연변이의 선별검사로써 mPCR-CSGE를 사용하고, 이후 특정 유전자 부위만을 염기서열 분석하여 mPCR-CSGE의 유용성을 확인하기 위해 고안되었다. 방 법 : 연구대상은 비혈연 관계인 27명의 혈우병B 환자였다. 직접염기서열 분석법은 독립된 다른 기관에서 시행하였고, mPCR-CSGE 선별 후 염기서열 분석법은 본 연구자의 기관에서 시행되었다. 직접 염기서열 분석법의 결과가 참고치가 되어 mPCR-CSGE 선별 후 염기서열 분석법을 정확성, 경제성, 신속성, 편이성 측면에서 비교하였다. 두가지 방법으로 진단이 되지 않는 환자에게는 MLPA를 이용하여 돌연변이를 발견하였다. 결 과 : 직접 염기서열 분석법으로 26명(96.3%)의 환자에서 돌연변이를 확인할 수 있었다. mPCR-CSGE 선별 후 염기서열 분석법으로는 23명(85.2%)의 환자에서 돌연변이를 찾아낼 수 있었다. 1명의 환자는 MLPA로써 돌연변이를 확인할 수 있었다. 27명의 환자에게 21개의 독립적인 돌연변이가 있었다. mPCR-CSGE 선별 후 염기서열 분석법은 직접 염기서열 분석법에 비해 비용은 55.7%로 줄일 수 있었으나, 실험 단계는 더욱 복잡하였고, 시간도 하루가 더 걸렸으며, 세심한 실험상의 주의가 필요하였다. 결 론 : mPCR-CSGE 선별 후 염기서열 분석법은 85.2%의 높은 돌연변이 선별력을 보이고, 직접 염기서열 분석법의 57.7%의 비용만 소모하였으나, 실험과정에 세한 주의가 요구되었으며, 노동집약적이고, 실험 시간도 하루가 더 소요되었다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.639-644
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• 2019

Diarrhea is one of the most common infectious diseases known worldwide. However, few studies have examined anaerobic diarrhea-causing bacteria (DB), which are difficult to culture. Recent advances in molecular biology have facilitated the detection and analysis of anaerobic DB. In this study, long-term trends in anaerobic DB were evaluated in Korea. From 2010 to 2018, symptoms of diarrhea reported were analyzed among patients hospitalized at the Dankook University Hospital in Korea. Results of multiplex polymerase chain reaction based on seasonality, age, overlapping infection, and other factors in patients were evaluated. DB were detected in 38.2% of 1716 stool specimens in the duration of the study. Of the pathogens detected using this method, 49.8% (n = 405/813) were anaerobic bacteria, including Clostridioides perfringens, Campylobacter spp., Clostridioides difficile toxin B, and Aeromonas spp. Among the four anaerobic bacteria, Clostridioides perfringens was the most commonly occurring (15.5%; n = 126/813). Detection rates of Clostridioides perfringens, Clostridioides difficile toxin B, and Aeromonas spp. were 34.1% (n = 22/55), 34.9% (n = 43/126), and 40.0% (n = 38/109), respectively. The detection rate of Campylobacter spp. (32.7%; n = 37/115) was the highest in patients between 10 and 20 years of age. The detection rate of anaerobic DB showed an increase in 2018 as compared with that in 2010, and the number of events of diarrhea caused by anaerobic DB also increased in this duration. Further studies are required to devise methods that might prevent the proliferation of anaerobic DB.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare colony forming unit (CFU) method and multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (MRT-PCR) method for accurate quantitative analysis of bacteria. Methods: We compared the CFU method and the MRT-PCR method, which are still used in Korea, for Prevotella intermedius (P. intermedius), a periodontal disease pathogen selected by MRT-PCR, and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a dental caries causative organism. The subjects of this study were 30 patients who visited the C dental hospital. Results: Total microorganisms in MRT-PCR method were significantly higher in both types of bacteria (p<0.05), since DNA of dead bacteria was also analyzed. This was because the periodontal dise(-) anaerobes, and even dead bacteria contain large amounts of toxic substances called LPS in the extracellular membrane, and fimbriae and pili, which are motility structures, still remain as a strong toxic substance in periodontal tissue. Conclusions: Therefore, in terms of the total amount of bacteria found, the MRT-PCR method will be a useful technique for searching all the bacteria in the oral cavity including live bacteria, as well as sterilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권9호
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• pp.383-388
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• 2013

Purpose: Viral etiology is common in cases of children with acute diarrhea, and antibiotic therapy is usually not required. Therefore, it is important to determine the distribution of common viruses among children hospitalized with acute diarrhea. Methods: We included 186 children who suffered from acute diarrhea and were hospitalized at the Wonkwang University Hospital Pediatric ward from December 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 in this study. Stool samples were collected and multiplex reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (multiplex RT-PCR) was used to simultaneously determine the viral etiology such as rotavirus, norovirus, astrovirus, or adenovirus. Results: Causative viruses were detected in 72 of the 186 cases (38.7%). The mean age of the virus-positive cases was 1 year and 9 months (range, 1 month to 11 years). Rotavirus was detected in 50/186 (26.9%); norovirus, in 18/186 (9.7%); and astrovirus, in 3/186 cases (1.6%). Adenovirus was not detected in any of the cases. Proportions of norovirus genogroups I and II were 21.1% and 78.9%, respectively. Four of the 51 rotavirus-positive cases (7.8%) had received rotavirus vaccination at least once. The mean duration of diarrhea was 2.8 days (range, 1 to 10 days) and vomiting occurred in 39 of the 72 cases (54.2%). Conclusion: Viral etiology was confirmed in about one-third of the children with acute diarrhea, and the most common viral agent was rotavirus, followed by norovirus.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.144-152
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during the neonatal period to provide information that is useful in clinical practice and suggest extension of the palivizumab administration. Methods: Neonates admitted to the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital neonatal intensive care unit due to respiratory symptoms and for whom multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and multiplex real time-polymerase chain reaction tests were performed between October 2011 and May 2016 were included in this study. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and data was collected for 156 neonates. Results: Among the 156 neonates, RSV was detected in 114 (73.1%), non-RSV in 25 (16%), and no virus in 17 (10.9%). The majority were full term infants (92.4%) and peak incidence of RSV infection was in January. Post-natal care center infection was more common in the RSV group (46.6%) than that in the other virus groups (24%, P=0.0243). Clinical symptoms were severe in the RSV group in contrast to that in the non-RSV or others groups. The RSV group frequently needed oxygen therapy (P=0.0001) and the duration of hospital stays were longer (P=0.0001). Conclusion: RSV is a significant cause of respiratory infection in neonates and the severity is higher in contrast to that with other viral causes of infection. Infants in post-natal care centers have a high-risk of developing RSV infections; therefore, palivizumab administration may be considered in this group to prevent hospitalization and reduce the duration of hospital stay.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.429-437
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the change in physicochemical properties and lactic acid bacterial communities during kimchi fermentation at different temperatures (8, 15, and 25 ℃) using two molecular genetics approaches, multiplex polymerase chain reaction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The pH during fermentation at 8, 15, and 25 ℃ decreased from 6.17 on the initial fermentation day to 3.92, 3.79, and 3.48 after 54, 30, and 24 days of fermentation, respectively, while the acidity increased from 0.24% to 1.12, 1.35, and 1.54%, respectively. In particular, the levels of lactic acid increased from 3.74 g/L on the initial day (day 0) to 14.43, 20.60, and 27.69 g/L during the fermentation after 24, 18, and 12 days at 8, 15, and 25 ℃, respectively, after that the lactic acid concentrations decreased slowly. The predominance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the fermented kimchi was dependent on fermentation stage and temperature: Lactobacillus sakei appeared during the initial stage and Leuconsotoc mesenteroides was observed during the optimum-ripening stage at 8, 15, and 25 ℃. Lac. sakei and Lactobacillus plantarum grew rapidly in kimchi produced at 8, 15, and 25 ℃. In addition, Weissella koreensis first appeared at days 12, 9, and 6 at 8, 15, and 25 ℃ of fermentation, respectively. This result suggests that LAB population dynamics are rather sensitive to environmental conditions, such as pH, acidity, salinity, temperature, and chemical factors including free sugar and organic acids.