• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.177-193
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• 2005

Purpose: To identify genes specifically expressed in biliary atresia, we compared the patterns of gene expression between biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome using cDNA microarray analysis. Methods: Liver tissues were taken from livers of 11 patients (7 patients with biliary atresia and four with neonatal hepatitis) with neonatal cholestasis by needle biopsy. Normal control could be obtained from donor liver tissue during living-related liver transplantation. Total RNA was extracted from each samples and reversely transcribed to make cDNA. Then fluorescent cDNA were pooled and hybridized to the clones on the microarray. Fluorescence intensities at the immobilized targets were measured. Utilizing cDNA arrays of 4.7 K human genes, gene expression profiles were analyzed. Results: Among 4,700 microarray clones, 17 cDNA clones were significantly over-expressed in all 11 patients with neonatal cholestasis, while 20 clones were significantly decreased. Genome-wide expression analysis was carried out in livers obtained at the time of diagnosis. We could identify 49 genes, in which there showed differential expression between biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome. Conclusion: This study shows the pattern of differentially expressed genes in biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis syndrome. We believe that this study can contribute to the understanding of pathogenesis of neonatal cholestasis.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.261-268
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• 2019

Climate change and drought stress are having profound impacts on crop growth and development by altering crop physiological processes including photosynthetic activity. But finding a rapid, efficient, and non-destructive method for estimating environmental stress responses in the leaf and canopy is still a difficult issue for remote sensing research. We compared the relationships between photochemical reflectance index(PRI) and various optical and experimental indices on soybean drought stress under climate change conditions. Canopy photosynthesis trait, biomass change, chlorophyll fluorescence(Fv/Fm), stomatal conductance showed significant correlations with midday PRI value across the drought stress period under various climate conditions. In high temperature treatment, PRI were more sensitive to enhanced drought stress, demonstrating the negative effect of the high temperature on the drought stress. But high CO₂ concentration alleviated the midday depression of both photosynthesis and PRI. Although air temperature and CO₂ concentration could affect PRI interpretation and assessment of canopy radiation use efficiency(RUE), PRI was significantly correlated with canopy RUE both under climate change and drought stress conditions, indicating the applicability of PRI for tracking the drought stress responses in soybean. However, it is necessary to develop an integrated model for stress diagnosis using PRI at canopy level by minimizing the influence of physical and physiological factors on PRI and incorporating the effects of other vegetation indices.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2011

The authors of the present study report the prenatal detection of a chromosomal abnormality with additional satellites on the distal short arm of chromosome 8. A 35-year-old woman was referred for amniocentesis because of her advanced maternal age and positive result for maternal serum screening test. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes showed a satellite 8p chromosome. The satellite 8p chromosome was positive for nucleolus organizer region (NOR) staining. The parents' karyotypes were normal. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) study for metaphases of fetal amniocytes revealed a cryptic translocation of chromosomes 8p and 22p. The fetal karyotype was described as 46,XY,8ps.ish t(8;22)(p23.3;p11.2) (D8S504-;D8S504+)dn. The parents decided to continue the pregnancy and a phenotypically normal boy was born at 38 weeks of gestation. In case of de novo terminal NORs detected prenatally, more accurate cytogenetic and molecular analysis should be performed in order to rule out cryptic chromosomal rearrangement among other chromosomes.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.445-454
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• 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanoparticles have emerged as novel nanomaterials for bio-imaging applications due to its unique layered structure, physicochemical properties, and good biocompatibility. Bio-imaging is one of the most important fields for medical applications in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics of various diseases. Enhanced diagnostic techniques are needed to realize new paradigm for next-generation personalized medicine through nanoscale materials. When nanotechnology is introduced into bio-imaging system, nanoparticle probes can endow imaging techniques with enhanced ability to obtain information about biological system at the molecular level. In this review, we summarize structural features of LDH nanoparticles with current issues of bio-imaging system. LDH nanoparticle probes are also discussed through in vitro as well as in vivo studies in various bio-imaging techniques including fluorescence imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed X-ray tomography (CT), which will have the potential in the development of the advanced nanoparticles with high sensitivity and selectivity.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.429-434
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• 2019

A lateral flow immunoassay platform utilizing antibody functionalized water soluble CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the analysis of human serum amyloid A-1 (hSAA1) in a buffer solution. hSAA1 was chosen as a target protein because it is regarded as a potential biomarker associated with early diagnosis and prognosis in patients of lung cancer. The immunoassay strip on a nitrocellulose membrane was fabricated by spraying two lines composed of a test line with a monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (10G1) (anti hSAA1) and a control line of anti-chicken IgY. While the CdSe/ZnS QDs synthesized in an organic phase were transferred to a water phase by ligand exchange using carboxylic acid modified alkane thiol. The QDs was then conjugated to monoclonal antibody against hSAA1 (14F8) [anti hSAA1 (14F8)] and used as a fluorescent detection probe. The sequential lateral flow of hSAA1 in different concentration and QDs-anti hSAA1 (14F8) complex allowed to form the surface sandwich complex of anti hSAA1 (10G1)/hSAA1/QD-anti hSAA1 (14F8), which was then analyzed using fluorescence microscope. A 100 nM concentration of hSAA1 protein can be detected by naked eyes under an optimized lateral flow buffer condition with a sensing time of 5 mins.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.399-405
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• 2018

The platelet count in clinical laboratories is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of hemostasis abnormalities, and accurate platelet counting in the low count range is of prime importance for deciding if a platelet transfusion is needed and for monitoring after chemotherapy. Quality control is designed to reduce and correct any deficiencies in the internal analytical process of a clinical laboratory prior to the release of patient results. Fragmented erythrocytes are the major confusing factors for platelet counting because of their similar size to platelets. The authors found that the low range QC values were out of 2SD with a Sysmex automatic analyzer in internal quality control process. Thus far, there has been little discussion on the relationship between hemolysis and the platelet parameters. Therefore, this study focused on the performance of automated platelet counts, including the PLT-F, the PLT-I, and PLT-O methods at the low platelet range using the low level QC materials and compared the 5 platelet parameters with the hemolyzed samples. The results showed that the CV was the smallest with PLT-F and P-LCR increased from 18.4 to 31.9% in the hemolysis samples. These results indicate that a more accurate estimation of the platelet counts can be achieved using the PLT-F method than the PLT-I method at the low platelet range. The use of the PLT-F system improves the confidence of results in low platelets samples in a routine hematology laboratory. The results suggest that P-LCR is a new parameter in assessing samples when the specimen is suspected of hemolysis and deterioration. Nevertheless, further studies will be needed to establish the relationship with P-LCR and hemolysis using human blood specimens.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.16-28
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• 2023

Lung adenocarcinoma accounts for about 40% of all lung cancers. With the recent development of gene profiling technology, studies on mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which are important for the development and growth of tumors, have been actively conducted. Companion diagnosis using next-generation sequencing helps improve survival with targeted therapy. In this study, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of non-small cell lung cancer patients were subjected to hematoxylin and eosin staining for detecting genetic mutations that induce lung adenocarcinoma in Koreans. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed to accurately classify lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Based on the results, next-generation sequencing was applied to analyze the types and patterns of genetic mutations, and the association with smoking was established as the most representative cause of lung cancer. Results of next-generation sequencing analysis confirmed the single nucleotide variations, copy number variations, and gene rearrangements. In order to validate the reliability of next-generation sequencing, we additionally performed the existing genetic testing methods (polymerase chain reaction-epidermal growth factor receptor, immunohistochemistry-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (D5F3), and fluorescence in situ hybridiation-receptor tyrosine kinase 1 tests) to confirm the concordance rates with the next-generation sequencing test results. This study demonstrates that next-generation sequencing of lung adenocarcinoma patients simultaneously identifies mutation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 2003

Background : Previous studies have suggested that a B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP) test can provide important information on diagnosis, as well as predicting the severity and prognosis of heart failure. Myocardial dysfunction is often observed in critically ill noncardiac patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, and the prognosis of the myocardial dysfunction needs to be determined. This study evaluated the predictability of BNP on the prognosis of critically ill noncardiac patients. Methods : 32 ICU patients, who were hospitalized from June to October 2002 and in whom the BNP test was evaluated, were enrolled in this study. The exclusion criteria included the conditions that could increase the BNP levels irrespective of the severity, such as congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, and renal insufficiencies. A triage B-Type Natriuretic Peptide test with a RIA-kit was used for the fluorescence immunoassay of BNP test. In addition, the acute physiology and the chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and mortality were recorded. Results : There were 16 males and 16 females enrolled in this study. The mean age was 59 years old. The mean BNP levels between the ICU patients and control were significantly different ($186.7{\pm}274.1$ pg/mL vs. $19.9{\pm}21.3$ pg/mL, p=0.033). Among the ICU patients, there were 14(44----) patients with BNP levels above 100 pg/mL. The APACHE II score was $16.5{\pm}7.6$. In addition, there were 11 mortalities reported. The correlation between the BNP and APACHE II score, between the BNP and mortality were significant (r=0.443, p=0.011 & r=0.530, p=0.002). The mean BNP levels between the dead and alive groups were significantly different ($384.1{\pm}401.7$ pg/mL vs. $83.2{\pm}55.8$ pg/mL p=0.033). However, the $PaO_2/FiO_2$ did not significantly correlate with the BNP level. Conclusion : This study evaluated the BNP level was elevated in critically ill, noncardiac patients. The BNP level could be a useful, noninvasive tool for predicting the prognosis of the critically ill, noncardiac patients.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2023

Liposomes as drug delivery system have proved useful carrier for various disease, including cancer. In addition, perfluorocarbon cored microbubbles are utilized in conjunction with high-intensity focused-ultrasound (HIFU) to enable simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. However, microbubbles generally exhibit lower drug loading efficiency, so the need for the development of a novel liposome-based drug delivery material that can efficiently load and deliver drugs to targeted areas via HIFU. This study aims to develop a liposome-based drug delivery material by introducing a substance that can burst liposomes using ultrasound energy and confirm the ability to target tumors using PET imaging. Liposomes (Lipo-DOX, Lipo-DOX-Au, Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD) were synthesized with gold nanoparticles using an avidin-biotin bond, and doxorubicin was mounted inside by pH gradient method. The size distribution was measured by DLS, and encapsulation efficiency of doxorubicin was analyzed by UV-vis spectrometer. The target specificity and cytotoxicity of liposomes were assessed in vitro by glioblastoma U87mg cells to HIFU treatment and analyzed using CCK-8 assay, and fluorescence microscopy at 6-hour intervals for up to 24 hours. For the in vivo study, U87mg model mouse were injected intravenously with 1.48 MBq of ⁶⁴Cu-labeled Lipo-DOX-Au and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and PET images were taken at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours. As a result, the size of liposomes was 108.3 ± 5.0 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au and 94.1 ± 12.2 nm at Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD, and it was observed that doxorubicin was mounted inside the liposome up to 52%. After 6 hours of HIFU treatment, the viability of U87mg cells treated with Lipo-DOX-Au decreased by around 20% compared to Lipo-DOX, and Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD had a higher uptake rate than Lipo-DOX. In vivo study using PET images, it was confirmed that ⁶⁴Cu-Lipo-DOX-Au-RGD was taken up into the tumor immediately after injection and maintained for up to 4 hours. In this study, drugs released from liposomes-gold nanoparticles via ultrasound and RGD targeting were confirmed by non-invasive imaging. In cell-level experiments, HIFU treatment of gold nanoparticle-coupled liposomes significantly decreased tumor survival, while RGD-liposomes exhibited high tumor targeting and rapid release in vivo imaging. It is expected that the combination of these models with ultrasound is served as an effective drug delivery material with therapeutic outcomes.