• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2002

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a cysteine proteinase of the Acanthamoeba healui OC-3A strain isolated from the brain of a granulomatous amoebic encephalitis patient. A DNA probe for an A. healui cDNA library screening was amplified by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of conserved amino acids franking the active sites of cysteine and asparagine residues that are conserved in the eukaryotic cysteine proteinases. Cysteine proteinase gene of A. healui (AhCPI) was composed of 330 amino acids with signal sequence, a proposed pro-domain and a predicted active site made up of the catalytic residues, $Cys^{25},{\;}His^{159},{\;}and{\;}Asn^{175}$. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis indicates that AhCPI belong to ERFNIN subfamily of C 1 peptidases. By Northern blot analysis. no direct correlation was observed between AhCPI mRNA expression and virulence of Acanthamoeba, but the gene was expressed at higher level in amoebae isolated from soil than amoeba from clinical samples. These findings raise the possibility that AhCPI protein may play a role in protein metabolism and digestion of phagocytosed bacteria or host tissue debris rather than in invasion of amoebae into host tissue.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.45-50
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• 1997

Neuroblastoma, a pediatric malignant neoplasm of neural crest origin, has a wide range of clinical virulence. The mechanisms contributing to the development of neuroblastomas are largely unclear, but non-random chromosomal changes identified over the past years suggest the involvement of genetic alterations. Amplification of the human N-myc proto-oncogene is frequently seen either in extrachromosomal double minutes or in homogeneously staining regions (HSRs) of aggressively growing neuroblastomas. N-myc maps to chromosome 2 band 24, but HSR have never been observed at this band, suggesting transposition of N-myc during amplification. We have constructed and analyzed the region-specific painting probe for HSR in neuroblastoma IMR-32 to determine the derivative chromosomes. Microdissection was performed on HSR using an inverted microscope with the help of microglass needles and an micromanipulator. We pretreated the microdissected fragments with Topoisomerase I which catalyzes the relaxation of supercolled DNA, and performed two initial rounds of DNA synthesis with T7 DNA polymerase followed by conventional PCR to enable the reliable preparation of Fluorescent in situ hybridization probe from a single microdissected chromosome. With this method, it was possible to construct the region-specific painting probe for HSR. The probe hybridized specifically to the HSRs of IMR-32, and to 2p24, 2p13 of normal chromosome. Our results suggest there was coamplification of N-myc together with DNA of the chromosome 2p24 and 2p13. Moreover, the fluorescent signals for the amplified chromosomal regions in IMR-32 cells were also easily recognized at a Thus this painting probe can be applied to detect the similar amplification of N-myc in neuroblastoma tissue, and the probe pool for HSR may be used to identify the cancer-relevant genes.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2018

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium species is a major disease of wheat and barley around the world. FHB causes yield reductions and contamination of grains with trichothecene mycotoxins including; nivalenol (NIV), deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON). The objectives of this study were to identify strains of F. graminearum isolated in Korea from 2012-harvested wheat grain and to test the pathogenicity of these NIV- and DON-producing isolates. Three hundred and four samples of wheat grain, harvested in 2012 in Chungnam, Chungbuk, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Gangwon provinces were collected. We recovered 44 isolates from the 304 samples, based on the PCR amplification of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA region and sequencing. Our findings indicate that F. asiaticum was the predominant (95% of all isolates) species in Korea. We recovered both F. asiaticum and F. graminearum from samples collected in Chungnam province. Of the 44 isolates recovered, 36 isolates had a NIV genotype while 8 isolates belonged to the DON genotype (3-ADON and 15-ADON). In order to characterize the pathogenicity of the strains collected, disease severity was assessed visually on various greenhouse-grown wheat cultivars inoculated using both NIV- and DON-producing isolates. Our results suggest that Korean F. graminearum isolates from wheat belong to F. asiaticum producing NIV, and both F. graminearum and F. asiaticum are not significantly different on virulence in wheat cultivars.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제35권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate the relation between the interval of supportive periodontal therapy and the prevalence of the subgingival microflora. The subgingival plaques from 108 patients were used in the study. Control group were the patients with no periodontal treatment and test groups were assigned into 3 groups according to the period of recall check: group 1; 1-2 months, group 2; 3-4 months, group 3; 6months or more. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used for direct identification of periodontal pathogens (P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, T. denticola) in subgingival plaque. The results of this study were as follows. 1. The prevalence of P. gingivalis, T. forsythensis, T. denticola in control group were 100%, 87%, 90%. 2. In clinical parameters such as plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, control group was not significant different with group 1 but Significant different with group 2, group 3. 3. In group 1, the majority of P. gingivalis had type II fimA. 4. When group 3 were compared with group 1, the prevalence of P. gingivalis increased. But the prevalence of P. gingivalis with type II fimA, which have the virulence factor, decreased. 5. We were unable to find the correlation between P. gingivalis with type IV fimA and periodontal disease. 6. The prevalence of T. forsythensis, T. denticola in test group were 85%, 93% or more. From the above results, we were able to find the relation between the interval of supportive periodontal therapy and the prevalence of the subgingival microflora and the need of the strict supportive periodontal therapy to prevent recurrence of periodontal disease, because there were high prevalence of periodontal pathogens.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.362-368
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• 2012

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) is an intestinal commensal bacterium implicated as a risk factor for colon cancer. The key virulence factor is a secreted toxin called B. fragilis toxin (BFT). In this study we used an in vitro bioassay to examine the prevalence of ETBF in colonic washings from patients with colorectal polyps and normal control patients. We found that 9.3% of polyp patients and 10.9% of non-polyp patients harbored ETBF, respectively. A total of nine ETBF clinical isolates were isolated and confirmed to be positive for the BFT gene by PCR analysis and the ability to induce IL-8 secretion in the colonic epithelial cell line HT29/c1. Two of the ETBF clinical strains were characterized further in vitro and in vivo. We found that the two ETBF clinical isolates induced E-cadherin cleavage in HT29/c1 cells and promoted colonic inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. Our results indicate that the prevalence of ETBF in polyp patients were similar in non-polyp patients suggesting that ETBF carriage does not positively correlate to polyp incidence.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.22-30
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• 2015

CSF is a major concern for the swine industry, representing currently the most epizootically dangerous disease to the species. Numerous CSFV isolates with various degrees of virulence have already been isolated worldwide, ranging from low virulent strains that do not result in any apparent clinical signs to highly virulent strains that cause a severe per acute hemorrhagic fever with very high mortality. The molecular epidemiology of CSFVs has proven to be an essential tool for effective disease control and the development of safe and effective vaccines. Therefore, this study cloned and sequenced local CSFV isolates, and conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on the E2 glycoprotein encoding sequences.The RNA was extracted from PK15 cell culture passaged CSFV isolates, the cDNA prepared, and the complete E2 gene amplified with a product size of 1186 bp. The gelpurified PCR product was cloned into a pGEMT easy vector and the positive clone commercially sequenced. Aligning the nucleotide (1119 bp) and amino acid (373) sequences with 29 reference strains revealed nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities of 82.60-97.80% and 88.70-98.70%, respectively, indicating a higher mutation rate of the field CSFV strains. The phylogenetic analysis based on the complete E2 amino acid sequences also revealed a reliable differentiation of all the analyzed strains into specific genetic groups and subgroups, plus the local isolate (CSFV-E2) was found to cluster with the CSFV subgroup 2.2. Thus, the full-length E2 cds proved to be most suitable for a reliable and statistically significant phylogenetic analysis of CSFV isolates.

• 대한치과의사협회지
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• 제48권6호
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• pp.436-442
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• 2010

Objective: Transmission of S. mutans, a major dental caries pathogen, occurs mainly during the first 2.5 years of age. Children appear to acquire S. mutans mostly from their mothers, but few studies have investigated preventive effect of xylitol to S. mutans transmission from mother to child. The aim of this study was to perform a follow-up evaluation the preventive effect of xylitol chewing gum of the S. mutans of children's oral cavities, which included the characteristics of vertical transmission from mother to child. Methods: The mothers voluntarily participating in a women's oral health prevention program were divided into two groups (a control and a xylitol group). The subjects were 20 mother-child pairs, who were monitored for 30 months. Xylitol chewing gum group had consumed 2 gum pellets, 3 times a day for 24 months, and then they were followed until 30 months. At baseline, 24 and 30 months whole stimulated saliva samples were collected from the mothers. Children were also recruited from 6 months to 30 months after birth and were collected their dental plaque samples. After isolation and identification, the analysis of the colony count, transmission electron microscopy and real-time RT-PCR were performed to analyze the characteristics of S. mutans. Results: The S. mutans counts decreased steadily in the xylitol group at 24 months, but increased at 30 months. The similar results were showed at their children. While the glucan synthesis was decreased at xylitol group both mother and child. The expression of gtfB, gtfD and ftf were significantly reduced in the xylitol group both mother and child (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings indicate that chewing xylitol gum over a long period may decrease the expression of the genes associated virulence and reduced the glucan synthesis of S. mutans, which can result the preventing the mother-to-child transmission of S. mutans.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.71-79
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• 2015

Background: Recent studies have shown that the nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) recovery rate in clinical cultures has increased within Korea. However, another study conducted by a secondary hospital within Daegu reported different results. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand and evaluate the microbiological distribution and clinical features of NTM in Daegu. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 11,672 respiratory specimens undergoing acid fast bacilli (AFB) culture from 6,685 subjects who visited Yeungnam University Respiratory Center from January 2012 to December 2013. Results: Of the 11,672 specimens undergoing AFB culture, 1,310 specimens (11.2%) showed positive results. Of these specimens, NTM was recovered from 587 specimens, showing a recovery rate of 44.8%. Identification test for NTM was performed on 191 subjects; the results were as follows: M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) 123 (64.4%), M. abscessus 20 (10.5%), M. kansasii 12 (6.3%), and 33 other NTM germ strains. Of the 382 subjects with NTM, 167 were diagnosed with pulmonary NTM disease (43.7%), however virulence differed depending on NTM strain. Multivariate analysis showed that nodular bronchiectasis, the nodules, and finding consistent with cavity under imaging study were statistically significant for triggering pulmonary NTM disease. AFB culture showing MAC and M. abscessus was statistically significant as well. Positive predictive value for NTM polymerase chain reaction (NTM-PCR) was 88.6%. Conclusion: Results for NTM recovery rate within the Daegu area were similar to those for the Seoul metropolitan area. We can assume that NTM infection is increasing in our community, therefore AFB-positive subjects (1) should undergo NTM-PCR, (2) should have their culture results checked for differentiation of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) from NTM, and (3) undergo NTM identification test to confirm its type. Administration of treatment with the above results should be helpful in improving the patients' prognosis.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.100-109
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• 2018

다제내성(multidrug-resistant, MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii 균주의 출현 및 확산이 전 세계적으로 보고되어 왔는데, 이들 대부분은 생물막 형성능력을 가지고 있다. 생물막 형성은 소독 및 건조에 대해 세균이 저항할 수 있도록 해주는 중요한 병독성 인자이다. 본 연구에서는 생물막을 형성하는 A. baumannii 임상 분리주를 대상으로 항균제 내성 기전에 대한 유전적 기초를 조사하였다. 크리스탈 바이올렛 분석법을 통해 생물막 형성능력을 확인한 결과 46균주가 생물막을 형성하는 것으로 나타났다. 이어서 REP-PCR을 수행하여 서로 다른 클론에 속하는 16 균주를 선택한 후 이 균주들을 대상으로 항균제 내성 인자를 검출하였다. 본 연구에서 분리된 9개 non-MDR (0.96) 균주와 7개의 MDR (1.05) 균주의 평균 생물량은 서로 달랐지만, 이 차이는 유의하지 않았다. 대부분의 생물막 형성 MDR 균주는 다양한 항균제 내성인자 ($bla_{OXA-23}$, armA 및 gyrA 및 parC의 돌연변이)를 가지고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 대부분의 non-MDR 균주는 항균제 내성인자를 포함하지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 우리의 결과는 A. baumannii 균주의 생물막 형성능력이 항균제 감수성과 상관관계가 적음을 시사한다. 또한 MDR A. baumannii 임상 분리주의 출현은 대개 항균제 내성과 관련된 유전자의 돌연변이나 또는 다양한 항균제 내성인자의 획득에 의한 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.62-65
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• 2010

Arowana (Scleropages formosus) is the most valuable group of ornamental fishes and very much in demand in the ornamental fish trade and commands high price ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per fish. In this paper, we described a case of mortality of arowana from a private aquarium in Korea. A bacterial pathogen from fish organs (brain, kidney, liver) was cultured, identified and confirmed using Vitek System 2, API 20E test, multiplex PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The morphological and biochemical properties of the bacterium isolated from the brain, kidney and liver of the fish were similar to Aeromonas sobria. Positive amplification products using the multiplex PCR assay for detection of A. sobria were obtained from these organs. The 16S rRNA gene of the isolates from fish was identical and exhibited 100% sequence similarity with A. sobria (AY987762.1) strain available from GenBank. This bacterium contained hemolysin gene, a virulence factor that plays an important role in outbreaks of disease and is pathogenic to humans as well as in fish. Although this opportunistic bacterium was isolated from a fish without any external symptoms, this pathogen may act as a reservoir and enhance chances of zoonosis to human such as during handling.