• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Conservative management of multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK) without nephrectomy has recently been advocated. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical course of conservatively managed MCDK and to find out possible predictive factors for involution of MCDK by ultrasonography(US). Methods : A retrospective analysis was made on 45 patients(26 boys and 20 girls) in whom MCDK was detected and had been traced by US between Dec. 1993 and Aug. 2005 at Severance Hospital. Results : Median follow-up time was 30 months(range 2-102 months). All patients under-went radionuclide scans and voiding eystourethrograms. The serial follow-up US showed complete involution in 11(24%), partial involution in 19(41%), and no interval change or increased in cyst size in 13(28%) patients. Nephrectomy was done in 3 patients(7%) due to relapsing urinary tract infection(UTI) and severe abdominal distension. The mean age of complete involution of MCDK was 37 months(range 12-84 months). Episodes of UTI were present in 17 patients(37%) and additional genitourinary(GU) abnormalities were found in 22 patients(44%). Hypertension and renal insufficiency was complicated in one patient. No child developed malignant tumor. Univariate analysis showed that five variables were associated with complete involution of the MCDK; gender, site, UTI episode, additional GU abnormalities, and renal length on initial US. After adjusting using the Pearson model, the presence of additional GU abnormalities was exclusively associated with complete involution among the 5 variables(P=0.034). Conclusion : In our review of 46 cases of MCDK, non-surgical approach for patients with MCDK was advisable and we could predict poor prognosis when MCDK is associated with other GU anomalies.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.242-250
• /
• 2011

Although insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and androgen receptor (AR) coactivators are well known effectors of skeletal muscle, the molecular mechanism by which signaling pathways integrating AR coactivators and IGF-I in skeletal muscle cells has not been previously examined. In this study, the effects of IGF-I treatment on the gene expression of AR coactivators in the absence of AR ligands and the roles of the p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in IGF-I-induced AR coactivators induction were examined. C2C12 cells were treated with 250 ng/ml of IGF-I in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors p38 MAPK (SB203580) or ERK1/2 (PD98059). Treatment of C2C12 cells with IGF-I resulted in increased in GRIP-1, SRC-1, and ARA70 protein expression. The levels of GRIP-1, SRC-1, and ARA70 mRNA were also significantly increased after 5min of IGF-I treatment. IGF-I-induced AR coactivator proteins were significantly blocked by pharmacological inhibitors of p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways. However, there was no significant effect of those inhibitors on IGF-I-induced mRNA level of AR coactivators, suggesting that AR coactivators are post-transcriptionally regulated by IGF-I. Furthermore, the present results suggest that IGF-I stimulates the expression of AR coactivators by cooperative activation of the p38 MAPK and ERK1/2 pathways in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
• /
• v.4
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 1986

Polyphenol oxidase in japanese pear (Pyrus communis var. mansamkil) was isolated, partially purified and its some properties were investigated. Polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis indicated two bands with polyphenol oxidase activity in the extract from acetone dry powder of par flesh. These two polyphenol oxidases (PPO A and PPO B) were purified through acetone precipitation and diethylaminoethyl cellulose column chromatography. PPO A and B were purified 7.8 fold and 8.7 fold by the present procedure, respectively. The Rm values of partially purified PPO A and B were estimated to be 0.58 and 0.68, respectively. The optimum temp, and pH of PPO A activity were $33^{\circ}C$ and pH 7.0, while those of PPO B were $30^{\circ}C$ and pH 4.2, respectively. Two PPO were unstable over the temperature of $60^{\circ}C$. The substrate specificity of pear PPO showed high affinity toward o-diphenolic compounds, especially catechol in PPO A and chlorogenic acid in PPO B, but inactive toward m-diphenol, p-diphenol and monophenols. PPO A showed affinity toward the trihydroxyphenolic compound. $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO A activity but $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ inhibited PPO B activity, while $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ and $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO B activity, while $Fe^{{+}{+}}$ and $Zn^{{+}{+}}$ activated the PPO B activity but $K^+$, $Mg^{{+}{+}}$, $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ and $Hg^{{+}{+}}$ inhibited at 10mM concentration. $Cu^{{+}{+}}$ activated the enzyme action at low concentrations but inhibited at high concentration. Inhibition studies indicated that L-ascorbic acid, L-cysteine and thiourea were most potent. The Km values of PPO A and PPO B for catechol were 20mM and 14.3mM, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.145-152
• /
• 2015

The present study aimed to investigate comparative anti-inflammatory effects of Litsea japonica fruit and leaf extract considering the balance of safety and efficacy. Dose response studies were performed to determine the inhibitory effects of 70% EtOH extract of leaf (L70%) on the pro-inflammatory enzymes expression, COX-2/PGE2 and NO/iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines production, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. We also examined comparative effects of 30 and 70% EtOH extract of fruits (F30% and F70%) at low concentration ($10{\mu}g/ml$ ) in the same conditions. L70% at 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed inhibitory effects on almost all the inflammatory mediators we examined except for COX-2 regulation, but there were no effects at $10{\mu}g/ml$. Since $100{\mu}g/ml$ of L70% have 18.2% cytotoxicity, we compared the effects of fruit extract, F30% and F70% at $10{\mu}g/ml$ on the regulation of NO/iNOS, PGE2, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and obtained that fruit extacts are more efficacious and safe than leaf. This study suggests that the 30% EtOH fraction of L. japonica fruit could be a good candidate for development as a functional food supplement in the prevention of inflammatory disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.875-882
• /
• 2021

To minimize occupational noise induced hearing loss, it is recommended that workers should not be exposed to noise levels exceeding 85 dBA for over 8 h. In the present study, noise exposure levels were measured for seven workers based on their tasks on a training ship. The A-weighted noise exposure level (L_ex,24h) was measured by taking into account the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound level (L_Aeq,i), duration (h) and noise contribution (L_ex,24h,i) from the workers' locations. Results are thus obtained for different job categories as follows: officer group L_ex,24h=56.1 dB, navigation crew L_ex,24h=58.9 dB, navigation cadet L_ex,24h=62.0 dB, ship's cook L_ex,24h=64.3 dB, engine cadet L_ex,24h=91.1 dB, engineer L_ex,24h=91.1 dB, and engine crew L_ex,24h=95.1 dB. It was determined that the engineers, engine crews, and engine cadets in charge of machinery must wear hearing protection devices. By wearing hearing protection devices when working in highly noisy engine rooms, it is estimated that the noise expose levels could be reduced by the following amounts: engineer L_ex,24h=23.1 dB, engine Crew L_ex,24h=24.4 dB, and engine cadet L_ex,24h=21.5 dB. Moreover, if the no. 2 lecture room and mess room bottom plates in the cadets accommodations were improved to the 64 mm A-60-class floating plates, then further reductions are possible as follows: navigation cadet L_ex,24h=4.3 dB and engine cadet L_ex,24h=1.8 dB.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.12-19
• /
• 2019

Purpose: Isolated methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder of propionate metabolism. There are two subtypes of MMUT gene defects. $Mut^0$ represents complete loss of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) activity while mut- is associated with residual MCM activity, which can be stimulated by hydroxocobalamin (OHCbl) supplementation. The objective of this study is to investigate cobalamin responsiveness and mutations present in Korean MMA population. Methods: We evaluated 10 MMA patients using somatic cell complementation analysis on their fibroblasts to measure MCM activity and vitamin B12 responsiveness for the optimal treatment. MMUT gene was sequenced to identify the MMA mutations. Results: For all patients, the incorporation of $[^{14}C]-propionate$ was low, and there was no response to OHCbl. The incorporation of $[^{14}C]-methyltetrahydrofolate$ and $[^{57}Co]-CNCbl$ fell within the normal range. There was adequate synthesis of methylcobalamin while the synthesis of adenosylcobalamin was low. The complementation analysis showed all patients were $mut^0$. The sequence analysis identified 12 different MMUT mutations, including 2 novel mutations, p.Gln267Ter and p.Ile697Phe, were identified. All the patients in this study had neonatal onset of symptoms, belonged to $mut^0$ complementation class, and as a result, showed no cobalamin responsiveness. Conclusion: No Korean MMA patient showed cobalamin responsiveness.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1255-1261
• /
• 2018

Whole genome analysis have been made possible with the development of DNA sequencing technologies and discovery of many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Large number of SNP can be analyzed with SNP chips, since SNPs of human as well as livestock genomes are available. Among the various missing nucleotide imputation programs, Minimac3 software is suggested to be highly accurate, with a simplified workflow and relatively fast. In the present study, we used Minimac3 program to perform genomic missing value substitution 1,226 animals 770K SNP chip and imputing missing SNPs with next generation sequencing data from 311 animals. The accuracy on each chromosome was about 94~96%, and individual sample accuracy was about 92~98%. After imputation of the genotypes, SNPs with R Square ($R^2$) values for three conditions were 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 and the percentage of SNPs were 91%, 84%, and 70% respectively. The differences in the Minor Allele Frequency gave $R^2$ values corresponding to seven intervals (0, 0.025), (0.025, 0.05), (0.05, 0.1), (0.1, 0.2), (0.2, 0.3). (0.3, 0.4) and (0.4, 0.5) of 64~88%. The total analysis time was about 12 hr. In future SNP chip studies, as the size and complexity of the genomic datasets increase, we expect that genomic imputation using Minimac3 can improve the reliability of chip data for Hanwoo discrimination.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2019

A method was developed for the simultaneous detection of an antibiotic fungicide, streptomycin, and its metabolite (dihydrostreptomycin) in agricultural products using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted using methanol adjusted to pH 3 using formic acid, and purified with a HLB (Hydrophilic lipophilic balance) cartridge. The matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed using seven concentration levels, from 0.001 to 0.1 mg/kg, and linearity of five agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin, green pepper), with coefficients of determination $(R^2){\geq}0.9906$, for streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin. The mean recoveries at three fortification levels (LOQ, $LOQ{\times}10$, $LOQ{\times}50$, n = 5) were from 72.0~116.5% and from 72.1~116.0%, and relative standard deviations were less than 12.3% and 12.5%, respectively. The limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.01 mg/kg, which are satisfactory for quantification levels corresponding with the Positive List System. All optimized results satisfied the criteria ranges requested in the Codex guidelines and the Food Safety Evaluation Department guidelines. The present study could serve as a reference for the establishment of maximum residue limits and be used as basic data for detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin in food.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.60-68
• /
• 2019

Limonium tetragonum, an edible halophyte that grows on salt marshes in Korea, is thought to possess various health benefits (e.g., antioxidant, antitumor, and hepatoprotective). In the present study, different solvent partitioned subfractions, water ($H_2O$), buthanol (n-BuOH), 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), and hexane (n-hexane), from crude extract of L. tetragonum were tested for their ability to prevent adipogenesis in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The treatment of differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with L. tetragonum subfractions (LTFs) resulted in suppressed adipogenesis and reduced expression of adipogenesis-related transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAATT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) at both mRNA and protein levels. In addition, the LTF treatment notably decreased the levels of phosphorylated p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in association with $PPAR{\gamma}$-linked adipogenesis. Among all the tested LTFs, $H_2O$ and n-hexane were the most effective in lowering lipid accumulation and regulating the adipocyte differentiation via $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathway. Taken together, the results indicated that the $H_2O$ and n-hexane LTFs contain bioactive compounds that may exhibit significant antiadipogenesis activity by downregulation of the $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathway and inactivation of the MAPK signal pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.