• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7433-7436
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• 2014

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second cause of cancer related death in the world. It may develop by progression from its precancerous condition, called gastric atrophy (GA) due to gastritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum levels of pepsinogens (Pg) and gastrin-17 (G17) as non-invasive methods to discriminate GA or GC (GA/GC) patients. Materials and Methods: Subjects referred to gastrointestinal clinics of Golestan province of Iran during 2010 and 2011 were invited to participate. Serum levels of PgI, PgII and G17 were measured using a GastroPanel kit. Based on the pathological examination of endoscopic biopsy samples, subjects were classified into four groups: normal, non-atrophic gastritis, GA, and GC. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine cut-off values. Indices of validity were calculated for serum markers. Results: Study groups were normal individuals (n=74), non-atrophic gastritis (n=90), GA (n=31) and GC patients (n=30). The best cut-off points for PgI, PgI/II ratio, G17 and HP were $80{\mu}g/L$, 10, 6 pmol/L, and 20 EIU, respectively. PgI could differentiate GA/GC with high accuracy (AUC=0.83; 95%CI: 0.76-0.89). The accuracy of a combination of PgI and PgI/II ratio for detecting GA/GC was also relatively high (AUC=0.78; 95%CI: 0.70-0.86). Conclusions: Our findings suggested PgI alone as well as a combination of PgI and PgI/II ratio are valid markers to differentiate GA/GC. Therefore, Pgs may be considered in conducting GC screening programs in high-risk areas.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.77-82
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• 2018

In South Korea, LM crops are not allowed to grow locally, but have been allowed to be imported as food and feed purposes. Currently, the typical LMO imports are continuously increasing in the region of South Korea. In 2014, we carried out a review of the environmental release monitoring of LM maize (Zea mays L.) in Gyeonggi-do of South Korea, and analyzed volunteer samples using strip test kits and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. We thereby collected 44 volunteers of released LM maize in 169 locations around ports, from roadsides, feed factories and stockbreeding farmhouses. We found 4 positive samples at 3 sites using strip test kits. Based on the PCR analysis, the LM maize plants were found using event-specific primers. These results suggested that our monitoring is necessary to detect the presence of released LM maize in the natural environment of South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Salmonella infections cause the disease in pigs but also some zoonotic Salmonella serotypes can be transmitted to human through swine products, resulting in food poisoning. The objective of this study was to investigate the bacteriological prevalence and detection of invA gene using Salmonella specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the epidemiological characteristics related to Salmonella strains cultured from pig samples in Gangwon areas using serotyping, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods. During the period of November 2001 through April 2002, 1,174 ileocecal lymph node were collected from the slaughtered pigs raised in 38 farms located in Gangwon province. The samples were submerged in boiling water and macerated in saline and lymph node homogenates were inoculated into Tetrathionate broth with iodine (TTB, Difco, 0.5% iodine was added) for enrichment growth. Then additional tests were performed using several mediums, and suspects were identified by API 20E kit (BioMerieux) and PCR. Of total 1,174 samples from 38 farms, 44 (3.7%) were isolated as Salmonella spp from 13 farms (34.2%). Of 44 isolates, 31 were in Yangyang region, followed by 9 in Goseong, 2 in both Gangneung and Sokcho. However, there was no difference in regional isolation frequency. All isolates have a 521bp amplified product in Salmonella specific PCR with primer invA which encodes in proteins for invasion of epithelial cells. Of 44 recovered serotypes, 23 (52.3%) were S Eingedi, 10 (22.7%) S Schwarzengrund, 9 (20.5%) S Typhimurium, and 2 (4.5%) S Mbandaka. In RAPD analysis, there appeared to be unique bands distinguishing each serotype, although similarities exist between the different serotypes. Four serotypes of 44 Salmonella isolates appeared to fall into 14 different RAPD types. In PFGE analysis, 9 S Typhimurium were tested with XbaI enzyme and SpeI enzyme. The combination of results obtained with two enzymes subdivided the 9 S Typhimurium into 4 PFGE types.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.419-432
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• 1999

Objective: To establish the evaluation system of the quality of oocytes on the basis of the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis, to investigate the relationships beween the incidence of cumulus cells and the outcomes of IVF-ET. Method: Thirth-four cycles undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET with tubal infertility (23 cycles) or unexplained infertility (11 cycles) were included in this study. Cumulus cell masses surrounding mature oocyte and co-culture of embryos with autologous cumulus cells during IVF-ET process. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells was assessed by apoptosis detection kit fluorescein. The effect of co-culture using cumulus cells and the incidence of cumulus cells apoptosis. Results: The results were as follows: 1. The incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells markedly increased in patients aged 40 or over, while the fertilization rate was greatly decreased in those age group. 2. Apoptosis in cumulus cells was found in both the fertilized oocytes and unfertilized oocytes, but the incidence of apoptosis was higher in unfertilized oocytes. 3. There is no clear correlation between apoptosis in cumulus cells and the number of oocytes retrieved. However, the incidence of apoptosis was increased when the number of oocytes retrieved was 5 and fewer in comparison with $6{\sim}10$. 4. Embryo grade was significantly affected by the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells. 5. Pregnancy rate of IVF-ET per cycle was 29.4%, and the pregnant group had the higher fertilization rate and a significantly lower incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells compared with the nonpregnant group. 6. When cumulus cells were used as helper cells in the co-culture of the embryo, in vitro activity of cumulus cells based on morphological change and proliferation did not influence the quality of embryo, but was closely associated with the implantation rate and pregnancy rate, which was enhanced when morphological changes and proliferation of cumulus cells was more active. 7. This difference in the outcome of IVF-ET according to in vitro activity of cumulus cells used for co-cultue was not associated with the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells; but rather had likely relations with the different secretion pattern of protein, which may be an embryo trophic factor by cumulus cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells can be used in predicting oocyte qualities and the outcomes of IVF-ET. And the effect of co-culture largely depends on the in vitro activity of cumulus cells as well.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.553-561
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• 2018

Icariside II (ICA II) is used in erectile dysfunction treatment. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are efficient at improving erectile function. This study aimed to explore the action mechanism of ADSCs in improving erectile function. ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissues of rats. Cell proliferation was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The expressions of mRNA and protein were determined separately through qRT-PCR and western blot. The endogenous expressions of related genes were regulated using recombinant plasmids and cell transfection. A Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay was performed to determine the interaction between miR-34a and STAT3. Rat models with bilateral cavernous nerve injuries (BCNIs) were used to assess erectile function through the detection of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and intracavernosal pressure (ICP). ICA II promoted ADSCs' proliferation and differentiation to Schwann cells (SCs) through the inhibition of miR-34a. Suppressed miR-34a promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs by upregulating STAT3. ICA II promoted the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR-34a/STAT3 pathway. The combination of ICA II and ADSCs preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats. ADSCs treated with ICA II markedly preserved the erectile function of the BCNI model rats, which was reversed through miR-34a overexpression. ICA II promotes the differentiation of ADSCs to SCs through the miR34a/STAT3 pathway, contributing to erectile function preservation after the occurrence of a cavernous nerve injury.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2007

Diagnostic performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting Dirofilaria immitis in dogs was evaluated when no gold standard test was employed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test kit (SnapTM, IDEXX, USA) with unknown parameters was also employed. The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR from two-population model were estimated by using both maximum likelihood using expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm and Bayesian method, assuming conditional independence between the two tests. A total of 266 samples, 133 samples in each trial, were randomly retrieved from the heartworm database records during the year 2002-2004 in a university animal hospital. These data originated from the test results of military dogs which were brought for routine medical check-up or testing for heartworm infection. When combined 2 trials, sensitivity and specificity of the PCR was 96.4-96.7% and 97.6-98.8% in EM and 94.4-94.8% and 97.1-98% in Bayesian. There were no statistical differences between estimates. This finding indicates that the PCR assay could be useful screening tool for detecting heartworm antigen in dogs. This study was provided further evidences that Bayesian approach is an alternative approach to draw better inference about the performance of a new diagnostic test in case when either gold test is not available.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.102-106
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• 2016

More than 20 years after the first report of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in Korea, the disease is still having major impact on domestic pig health and relevant industries. Although ELISA tests are commonly used by veterinarians to guide herd management, data on diagnostic performance of the test in field settings are very limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate two commercially available PRRSV ELISA (IDEXX PRRS X3 ELISA and Bionote PRRSV ELISA 4.0) to detect antibodies against PRRSV on serum samples. To this end, a total of 1,108 sera were recruited from 35 swine farms located in Gyeonggi province and tested at the Gyeonggi Province Veterinary Service Center. All tests were performed according to the manufacturer's instructions, by laboratory technicians who routinely perform PRRS testing on blood samples. Samples were collected from two sources of swine populations with different PRRS prevalence; 60 samples (5.4%) were originated from breeding farms and the remaining 1,048 samples (94.6%) were from farrow-to-finish farms. We applied Bayesian latent class model (LCM) for two-tests in the two-population when the accuracy of the gold standard is not available. The model estimated that Bionote ELISA was a bit more specific but slightly less sensitive. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of the IDEXX ELISA were 99.8% (95% CI 98.1-100%) and 86.4% (95% CI 81.4-96.5%), respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for Bionote kit were 98.7% (95% CI 92.8-100%), 89.8% (95% CI 86.2-93.1%), 93.8% (95% CI 91.5-96.0%), and 97.8% (95% CI 87.1-100%), respectively. Based on the Bayesian 95% credible intervals, the sensitivity and specificity of the two ELISAs were not significantly different each other when assuming that two kits were imperfect, indicating that two kits performed equally well in terms of sensitivity and specificity in our filed setting.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.845-858
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to establish early diagnostic methods for the detection of Aujeszky's disease viral antigens and nucleic acid in nasal cells, and buffy coats from experimentally infected living pigs by a combination of immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with digoxigenin(DIG)-labled probe and electron microscopy. Forty days old piglets were inoculated intranasally with $10^{7.0}TCID_{50}$ of Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV, NYJ-1-87 strain). The viral antigens and nucleic acid of ADV were detected in nasal cells, and buffy coat for 20 days after inoculation by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with DIG-labeled probe and electron microscopical method. The results were compared with conventional methods such as a porcine Aujeszky's disease serodiagnostic(PAD) kit, neutralization test(NT) and virus isolation. 1. The viral antigens, nucleic acids and capsids of ADV were detected in nasal cells, buffy coats from 3 days to 20 days after inoculation by immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization with DIG-labeled probe and electron microscopy, respectively. 2. When viral antigens were detected by the immunocytochemical technique, a diffuse brown deposit was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of nasal cells, buffy coats and PK-15 cells under a microscope. 3. DIG-labeled DNA probe was prepared by amplification of conserved sequence of recombinant ADV-gp50 clone with polymerase chain reacction. When ADV-DNA was detected by ISH with DIG-labeled probe, purplish blue pigmentation were observed in the nuclei and cytoplasms of ADV-infected cells under a microscope. Positive signals were observed in nasal cells and in the buffy coat and PK-15 cells at the first day after inoculation. 4. Where ADV-capsids were detected by transmission electron microscopical method, aggregation of capsids was observed in the nuclei and cytoplasms of nasal cells, buffy coats and PK-15 cells. The results suggested that these methods were considered as the highly sensitive and reliable tools for rapid and confirmative diagnosis of Aujeszky's disease in living pigs.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.191-199
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• 2001

목적 - 기질금속단백분해효소(matrix metalloproteinase)는 조직의 염증 및 치유과정에서 숙주세포에서 생성, 분비되어 세포외기질(extracellular matrix)의 분해에 작용한다. 다양한 염증반응에 기질금속단백분해효소가 중요한 역할을 하는것으로 보고되고 있으나 치수 및 치근단 질환에서의 그 역할은 거의 알려져 있지 않은 상태이다. 본 연구에서는 염증이 있는 사람의 치수 및 치근단 조직을 채취하여 Enzymeimmunoassay 및 면역조직화학적 검색을 통해 제1형, 2형, 3형 기질금속단백분해효소의 수준 및 그 분포를 측정하여 치수 및 치근단 병소에서 이 효소의 작용을 알아보는 것을 목적으로 한다. 방법 - 연구재료는 근관치료를 위해 서울대학교 병원 치과 진료부 보존과에 내원한 환자를 대상으로 34개의 치아에서 통상의 근관치료 중 발수한 치수조직과 치근단 수술중 얻은 치근단 병소(n=10)를 이용하였다. 치수는 발수 전에 임상진단을 통해 급성 치수염(n=12), 만성 치수염(n=12), 정상 치수(n=10)로 구분하고 정상치수로 진단된 것을 대조군으로 설정하였다. 채취된 표본은 둘로 나누어 절반은 30분 이내에 5$\mu\textrm{m}$ 두께로 동결절단을 시행하여 조직표본을 제작하였고 deep freezer에 보관하였다가 헤마톡실린-에오신 염색 및 면역조직화학적 검색을 시행하였다. 나머지 조직은 ELISA를 위해 액체 질소에 보관하였다. ELISA를 시행하기전 표본의 단백질 정량을 시행하여 모든 표본의 단백질 양을 50mg/$\mu\textrm{l}$로 일치시키고 Amersham사의 ELISA kit를 사용하여 제1형, 2형, 3형의 기질금속단백분해효소의 양을 측정하였으며 그 결과를 Mann-Whitney U test를 사용하여 각 군간의 통계학적 유의성을 검증하였다. 결과 1. ELISA의 결과 제1형 기질금속단백분해효소의 농도는 모든 실험군에서 대조군보다 유의성있게 높게 나타났다.(p<.05). 또한 급성치수염군의 제1형 기질금속단백분해효소의 농도가 다른 실험군보다 유의성있게 높았다(p<.05). 2. 제2형 기질금속단백분해효소의 경우 급성치수염군과 대조군에서만 유의성있는 차이를 보였다(p<.05). 3. 제3형 기질금속단백분해효소의 경우 급성치수염군에서 대조군이나 만성치수염군보다 유의성 있는 높은 수치를 보였다(p<.05). 4. 면역조직화학검색 결과 염증성 치수에 존재하는 급성 및 만성염증세포 주위로 기질금속단백분해효소에 대한 면역 반응이 존재하였으며 주로 제1형과 제3형 기질금속단백분해효소의 경우 대식세포 및 림파구 주위로 강한 발색제의 침윤양상이 관찰되었다. 5. 치근단병소의 면역조직화학적 검색 결과 만성염증 세포 주변으로 미약한 발색제의 침윤양상이 관찰되었다.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.262-270
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• 2019

This study aimed to develop designs for an early screening questionnaire for developmental disorders among children from multicultural families in the Republic of Korea, who are at an increased risk of developmental disorders due to cultural and language barriers. Research on early screening questionnaires for multicultural families is extremely scanty, unlike that on ordinary early detection tests designed for the same category of disorders. Worse still, there have been no attempts made at overcoming the limitations of language-based and intercultural communication that are endured by multicultural parents and social workers in the field. Given the challenges, this study confirmed through professional seminars the present status of early developmental disorder screening questionnaires and the necessity for developing specialized versions for multicultural children. Then the study identified the needs of the stakeholders by employing surveys and interviews, and obtained insights and core design elements. These preceding implementations led to the creation of an early developmental disorder screening questionnaire for multicultural families. The test kit incorporates the style of illustrations preferred by multicultural parents, as well as a system of language-specific interpretation services. Produced in a leaflet format, the questionnaire will be used at support centers for multicultural families and for disabled persons in each district for the practical purpose of early screening of developmental disorders among multicultural infants and preschool children.