• 대한핵의학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 1993

Technetium labeled isonitrile analogues are widely used as myocardial perfusion imaging agents. We synthesized and characterized a new isonitrile compound, ethyl 3-isocyanobutyrate(EIB). Proton and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography with a $C_{18}$ coat was performed. EIB was easily labeled with $^{99m}TcO_4^-$- with sodium dithionite. The labeling efficiency measured by RP-HPLC was over 95%. The labeled product was stable with dilution in normal saline and with prolonged incubation at room temperature. There was no formation of secondary products or free $^{99m}TcO_4^-$. In vivo kinetics study of $^{99m}Tc$ (I) labeled EIB in rabbits showed adequate myocardial uptake, good contrast against lung background, and relatively rapid liver clearance. The heart to lung ratio was over 2.5 and the heart to liver ratio was approximately from 0.4 to 5 at 60 minutes post injection. Hepatic clearance of $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$ was faster ($t_{1/2}$=6 minutes) than that of $^{99m}Tc-MIBI$. In vivo kinetics observed in dog was similar to that in rabbit but there was faster gallbladder filling, and thus lower liver background. SPECT imaging of the canine myocardium showed favorable imaging characteristics. However, biodistribution in mice demonstrated a myocardial % injected dose/organ of less than 0.1%. This was thought to be due to interspecies difference in plasma esterase activity. In human plasma, $^{99m}Tc$ ( I ) labeled EIB was stable for at least 2 hours, without production of secondary products by HPLC. We conclude that ethyl 3-isocyanobutyrate may be a potential new myocardial perfusion imaging agent and deserves further investigation as to its usefulness for clinical use.

• 대한의생명과학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.165-173
• /
• 2005

A potent demethylating agent, 5-Azacytidine (5-AzaC) has been widely used as in many studies on DNA methylation, regulation of gene expression, and cancer biology. The mechanisms of the demethylating activity were known to be formation of complex between DNA and DNA methyltransferase (MTase), which depletes cellular MTase activity. However, 5-AzaC can also induce hypermethylation of a transgene in a transgenic cell line, G12 cells and it was explained as a result of defense mechanisms to inactivate foreign gene(s) somehow. This finding evoked the question that whether the phenomenon of hypermethylation induced by 5-AzaC is limited to the transgene or it can be occurred in endogenous gene(s). In order to answer the question, mutagenicity test of 5-AzaC and molecular characterization of mutants obtained from the test were performed using an endogenous gene, thymidine kinase (tk) in Chinese hamster V79 cells. When V79 and V79-J3 subclone cells were treated with 1, 2.5 ,5, $10{\mu}M$ of 5-AzaC for 48 hours, their maximum mutant frequencies were revealed as $6\times10^{-3}\;at\;5{\mu}M$(350-fold induction over background) and $8\times10^{-3}\;at\;2.5{\mu}M$ (l,800-fold induction over background) respectively. Since the induction rates were too high to be induced by true mutations, many trifluorothymidine (TFT)-resistant $(TFT^R)$ cells were subjected to Northern blot analysis to check the presence of tk transcripts. Surprisingly, all clones tested possessed the transcripts in a similar level, that implicates the $TFT^R$ phenotype induced by 5-AzaC has not given rise to hypermethylation of the gene in spite of unusually high mutation frequency. In addition, it has shown that the TK activity in the pool of 5-AzaC-induced $TFT^R$ cells has about a half of that in spontaneously-induced $TFT^R$ cells or in non-selected parental V79-J3 cells. This result suggests that the mechanism(s) underlying the TFT-resistance between spontaneously occurred and 5-AzaC-induced cells may be different. These findings have shown that the $TFT^R$ phenotype induced by 5-AzaC has not given rise to hypermethylation of the tk gene, and 5-AzaC may be induced by one or combined pathways among many drug resistance mechanisms. The exact mechanisms for the 5-AzaC-induced $TFT^R$ phenotype remain to elucidate.

• 한국광학회지
• /
• 제24권5호
• /
• pp.245-250
• /
• 2013

위너-킨친 정리(Wiener-Khinchin)는 어떤 신호의 자기상관 함수(Autocorrelation)가 그 신호의 일율 분광띠(Power Spectrum)에 해당됨을 보이는 것으로써, 분광학 및 통신 공학에서 신호 처리와 관련된 매우 중요한 정리이다. 학부 실험실에서 이 정리를 시현하려면 상관기(Correlator)와 신호 처리 장비와 같은 비교적 고가의 장비가 요구되므로, 정리의 시현이 용이하지 않다. 근래에 들어 디지털 공학의 발전과 함께 보급되고 있는 디지탈 오실로스코프들은 측정 결과의 수치화와 그들에 관한 연산 기능이 포함되어 있어, 이 정리를 간단히 시현시킬 수 있다. 본고에서는 정리의 유도 과정에서 얻어지는 실험 이론과 함께 디지털 오실로스코프를 이용해서 이 정리를 시현시키는 방법을 소개한다. 1930년대에 소개된 정리를 다시 재조명하려는 이유는, 비록 정리가 오래전에 소개되었다고는 할지라도 구체적인 유도 과정이나 물리 분야와 관련된 내용들은 우리에게는 여전히 잘 알려져 있지 않기 때문이다. 유도 과정에서 교류 복소 총저항(Impedence) Z, 역율(Power Factor), 위너 분광곡선의 확장된 물리적 의미와 함께, 나아가, 흑체 복사에서 플랑크(M. Planck)의 양자화에 대한 배경이 자연스럽게 나타나므로, 일반물리학, 현대물리학, 분광학 및 물성실험 등과 관련된 강의에 참고가 될 수 있다고 생각된다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.7-15
• /
• 2004

Background: The heat shock proteins (HSPs) play an important role in cellular protection mechanisms against physical or chemical stresses. In this study scFv antibodies specific for human HSP70.1 were isolated from a semi-synthetic human scFv library with the ultimate goal of developing anti-HSP70.1 intracellular antibody (intrabody) that may offer an attractive alternative to gene targeting to study the function of the protein in cells. Methods: A semi-synthetic human scFv display library ($5{\times}10^{8}$ size) was constructed using pCANTAB-5E vector and the selection of the library against bacterially expressed recombinant human HSP70.1 was attempted by panning. Results: Three positive clones specific for recombinant HSP70.1 were identified. All three clones used $V_{H}$ subgroup III. On the other hand, $V_{L}$ of two clones belonged to the kappa light chain subgroup I, but the other utilized $V_{k}$ subgroup IV Interestingly, these scFv molecules specifically reacted to the recombinant HSP70.1, yet failed to recognize native HSP70 induced in U937 human monocytic cells by heat treatment. Conclusion: Our results indicated that affinity selection of an scFv phage display library using recombinant antigens produced in E. coli might not guarantee the isolation of scFv antibody molecules specific for a native form of the antigen. Therefore, the source of target antigens needs to be chosen carefully in order to isolate biofunctional antibody molecules.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제9권4호
• /
• pp.138-146
• /
• 2009

Background: The MHC region of the chromosome contains a lot of genes involved in immune responses. Here we have investigated the mouse NG29/Cd320 gene in the centrometrically extended MHC region of chromosome 17. Methods: We cloned the NG29 gene by RT-PCR and confirmed the tissue distribution of its gene expression by northern blot hybridization. We generated the NG29 gene expression constructs and polyclonal antibody against the NG29 protein to perform the immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometric analysis. Results: The murine NG29 gene and its human homologue, the CD320/8D6 gene, were similar in the gene structure and tissue expression patterns. We cloned the NG29 gene and confirmed its expression in plasma membrane and intracellular compartments by transfecting its expresssion constructs into HEK 293T cells. The immunoprecipitation studies with rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against the NG29-NusA fusion protein indicated that NG29 protein was a glycoprotein of about 45 kDa size. A flow cytometric analysis also showed the NG29 expression on the surface of Raw 264.7 macrophage cell line. Conclusion: These findings suggested that NG29 gene in mouse extended MHC class II region was the orthologue of human CD320 gene even though human CD320/8D6 gene was located in non-MHC region, chromosome 19p13.

• 대한인간공학회지
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 2011

Objective: The present study developed a comprehensive usability testing and analysis framework based on a physical interface model of product and user and applied the proposed framework to usability testing of canister-type vacuum cleaner. Background: The development of a user-centered product design is important to satisfy customers who want to use the product with ease of use and to keep the manufacturer competitive in the market. Method: The proposed testing and analysis framework consists of (1) characterization of physical product-user interface, (2) preparation and administration of usability testing questionnaire, and (3) analysis and interpretation of usability testing results. A usability evaluation of five vacuum cleaners was planned and administered based on the proposed framework and its analysis produced detailed and overall usability testing results for various aspects such as tasks, usability criteria, and design components. Results: The testing results were further utilized to identify usability problems and preferred design features of the vacuum cleaners. Conclusion: The proposed usability testing and analysis framework was found effective to identify preferred features and problems of a product design in a systematic, holistic manner. Application: The proposed framework can be of effective use for practitioners of product design and development to obtain comprehensive, quantitative usability testing information in a systematic manner.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제11권3호
• /
• pp.163-168
• /
• 2011

Background: Nanoparticles (NPs) prepared from biodegradable polymers, such as poly (D,L-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), have been studied as vehicles for the delivery of antigens to phagocytes. This paper describes the preparation of antigen-loaded PLGA-NPs for efficient cross-priming. Methods: NPs containing a similar amount of ovalbumin (OVA) but different sizes were produced using a micromixer-based W/O/W solvent evaporation procedure, and the efficiency of the NPs to induce the cross-presentation of OVA peptides were examined in dendritic cells (DCs). Cellular uptake and biodistribution studies were performed using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-loaded NPs in mice. Results: The NPs in the range of $1.1{\sim}1.4{\mu}m$ in size were the most and almost equally efficient in inducing the cross-presentation of OVA peptides via $H-2K^b$ molecules. Cellular uptake and biodistribution studies showed that opsonization of the NPs with mouse IgG greatly increased the percentage of FITC-positive cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. The major cell type of FITC-positive cells in the spleen was macrophages, whereas that of lymph nodes was DCs. Conclusion: These results show that IgG-opsonized PLGA-NPs with a mean size of $1.1{\mu}m$ would be the choice of biodegradable carriers for the targeted-delivery of protein antigens for cross-priming in vivo.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2008

Background: Members belonging to the interferon-lambda (IFN-${\lambda}$) family exert protective action against viral infection; however, the mechanisms of their action have remained elusive. To study IFN-${\lambda}$ biology, such as endocytosis of IFN-${\lambda}$, we produced monoclonal antibodies (Abs) against human IFN-${\lambda}$ and examined their usefulness. Methods: We purified recombinant human IFN-${\lambda}$1 expressed in Escherichia coli by using affinity columns. Then, we generated hybridoma cells by fusing myeloma cells with splenocytes from IFN-${\lambda}$1-immunized mice. For evaluating the neutralizing activity of the monoclonal Abs against IFN-${\lambda}$1, we performed RT-PCR for the MxA transcript. In order to study the binding activity of IFN-${\lambda}$ and the monoclonal Ab complex on HepG2 cells, we labeled the monoclonal Ab with rhodamine and determined the fluorescence intensity. Results: Four hybridoma clones secreting Abs specific to IFN-${\lambda}$1 were generated and designated as HL1, HL2, HL3, and HL4. All the Abs reacted with IFN-${\lambda}$1 in the denatured form as well as in the native form. Abs produced by HL1, HL3, and HL4 did not neutralize the induction of the MxA gene by IFN-${\lambda}$1. We also demonstrated the binding of the HL1 monoclonal anbitody and IFN-${\lambda}$ complex on HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Monoclonal Abs against IFN-${\lambda}$1 were produced. These Abs can be used to study the cellular binding and internalization of IFN-${\lambda}$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제13권11호
• /
• pp.5605-5611
• /
• 2012

Background: In the last two decades, pioneering research on anti-tumour activity of saffron has shed light on the role of crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal, as broad spectrum anti-neoplastic agents. However, the exact mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Identification and characterization of the targets of bioactive constituents will play an imperative role in demystifying the complex anti-neoplastic machinery. Methods: In the quest of potential target identification, a dual virtual screening approach utilizing two inverse screening systems, one predicated on idTarget and the other on PharmMapper was here employed. A set of target proteins associated with multiple forms of cancer and ranked by Fit Score and Binding energy were obtained from the two independent inverse screening platforms. The validity of the results was checked by meticulously analyzing the post-docking binding pose of the picrocrocin with Hsp90 alpha in AutoDock. Results: The docking pose reveals that electrostatic and hydrogen bonds play the key role in inter-molecular interactions in ligand binding. Picrocrocin binds to the Hsp90 alpha with a definite orientation appropriate for nucleophilic attacks by several electrical residues inside the Hsp90-alpha ATPase catalytic site. Conclusion: This study reveals functional information about the anti-tumor mechanism of saffron bioactive constituents. Also, a tractable set of anti-neoplastic targets for saffron has been generated in this study which can be further authenticated by in vivo and in vitro experiments.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제60권7호
• /
• pp.18.1-18.12
• /
• 2018

Background: Xanthosine treatment has been previously reported to increase mammary stem cell population and milk production in cattle and goats. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with the increase in stem cell population and milk production remain unclear. Methods: Primiparous Beetal goats were assigned to the study. Five days post-partum, one mammary gland of each goat was infused with xanthosine (TRT) twice daily ($2{\times}$) for 3 days consecutively, and the other gland served as a control (CON). Milk samples from the TRT and CON glands were collected on the 10th day after the last xanthosine infusion and the total RNA was isolated from milk fat globules (MEGs). Total RNA in MFGs was mainly derived from the milk epithelial cells (MECs) as evidenced by expression of milk synthesis genes. Significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) terms using PANTHER and gene networks were generated using STRING db. Results: Preliminary analysis indicated that each individual goat responded to xanthosine treatment differently, with this trend being correlated with specific DEGs within the same animal's mammary gland. Several pathways are impacted by these DEGs, including cell communication, cell proliferation and anti-microbials. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights into transcriptomic changes in milk producing epithelial cells in response to xanthosine treatment. Further characterization of DEGs identified in this study is likely to delineate the molecular mechanisms of increased milk production and stem or progenitor cell population by the xanthosine treatment.