• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

Purpose: To investigate the association between urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed in children undergoing uNGAL measurements between June 2018 and September 2019. Patients with suspected or diagnosed UTIs were included. The relationship between uNGAL and blood leukocyte differential count was investigated in children. Results: A total of 197 children were included in this study, 119 of whom (60%) had UTIs. The non-UTI patients (n=78) were diagnosed with pneumonia, acute gastroenteritis, viral upper respiratory infection, and others. After adjusting for age, gender, and fever duration, the leukocyte count, monocyte count, and uNGAL levels were higher in the UTI group than in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil counts, monocyte counts, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in the UTI group (P<0.05). uNGAL levels were only associated with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in the non-UTI group (P<0.05). In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, only uNGAL was associated with the presence of UTI (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for uNGAL and monocyte counts to identify UTI were 0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.824-0.939; P=0.025) and 0.7 (95% CI: 0.627-0.774; P=0.038), respectively. Conclusions: In children with UTIs, uNGAL levels may be associated with blood leukocyte differential counts. uNGAL measurements and monocyte counts can be helpful in children with suspected UTIs.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 1999

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2; 72-kDa gelatinase; 72-kDa type IV collagenase; gelatinase A) plays an important role in normal physiological processes and in many pathologic processes such as arthritis and metastasis of cancer. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) binds to proMMP-2 or mature MMP-2 at a 1:1 ratio and inhibits the catalytic activity of MMP-2. We demonstrated that the baculovirus/insect cell system does not have TIMP-2 activity. The human proMMP-2 free of TIMP-2 was expressed in the expression system and purified by one-step affinity chromatography using gelatin-Sepharose. The free proMMP-2 was autoactivated to the mature MMP-2 and autodegraded into smaller molecular weight forms in the absence of external activator. The activation and autodegradation of the proMMP-2 was much more rapid in the presence of 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA). Addition of TIMP-2 inhibits both APMA-induced activation and autodegradation of the free proMMP-2. However, an increasing concentration of TIMP-2 more readily inhibited activation of the free proMMP-2 than autodegradation. These results demonstrate that TIMP-2 plays roles in inhibition of both activation and autodegradation of the free proMMP-2 in addition to inhibition of the catalytic activity of MMP-2.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2012

To investigate the biochemical nature of changes in vaginal physiology during estrus and pregnancy, we examined the cytology and viscosity, and monitored the protein expression profile in vaginal mucus during estrus and pregnancy. The viscosity progressively decreased from estrus to pregnancy. Cell type analysis revealed that white blood cells progressively increased from estrus to pregnancy, while red blood cells progressively decreased during pregnancy. The cornification index (CI) was higher in estrus than in pregnancy. Protein mass spectrumetry identified the presence of ribosome-binding protein 1, GRIP 1 (Glutamate receptor-interacting protein 1)-associated protein 1, DUF729 (Domain of unknown function729) domain-containing protein 1, prolactin precursor, dihydrofolatereductase, and MMP (Matrix metalloprotease)-9 in vaginal mucus. MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in the vaginal mucus were active throughout estrus and gestation, as measured by a gelatinase assay, but most abundant in the vaginal mucus on day 0 of estrus. Results from ELISA of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were in accordance with the gelatinase assay. In light of the crucial role of metalloproteinases in extracellular matrix remodeling, the level of MMP-9 in vaginal mucus might be useful as an indicator of estrus and pregnancy to increase the efficiency of reproduction.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urinary biomarkers, such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and ${\beta}-2$ microglobulin (uB2MG), in early detection of urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants aged <3 months with fever. Methods: A total of 422 infants aged <3 months (male:female=267:155; mean age, 56.4 days), who were admitted for fever, were retrospectively included in this study. We compared uNGAL and uB2MG between the UTI and non-UTI groups at the time of admission. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) of uNGAL and uB2MG for use in diagnosing UTI were assessed. Results: Among 422 patients, 102 (24.2%) were diagnosed with UTI. Levels of uNGAL were higher in the UTI group than in the non-UTI group (366.6 ng/mL vs. 26.9 ng/mL, P<0.001). Levels of uB2MG were not different between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that uNGAL was an independent predictive factor for UTI (P=0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 90.2%, 92.5%, and 91.9% for uNGAL, and 48.0%, 43.8%, and 44.8% for uB2MG, respectively. AUC of uNGAL was 0.942 and that of uB2MG was 0.407. Conclusion: Accuracy of uNGAL in the diagnosis of UTI is high in febrile infants aged <3 months. uNGAL can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of UTI in infants.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to study the association of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) and leukocyte differential count in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: Medical records of 154 children aged 1 month to 13 years with febrile UTI who were hospitalized were retrospectively reviewed. Associations between pNGAL levels and blood leukocyte differential count at admission and after 48 hours of treatment were investigated in children with or without acute pyelonephritis (APN). Results: The APN group (n=82) showed higher pNGAL levels, neutrophil count, monocyte count, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), compared to the non-APN group (n=72) (all P<0.05). After adjustment for age and sex, pNGAL showed positive correlations with neutrophil count and NLR in both groups (all P<0.05). Additionally, it was correlated with the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) only in the APN group (P<0.05). Before and after treatment, pNGAL was positively correlated with neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR in patients with APN while it was related with neutrophil count and NLR in those without APN (all P<0.05). Areas under the receiver operating curve of pNGAL, neutrophil count, NLR, and MLR for predicting APN were 0.804, 0.760, 0.730, and 0.636, respectively (all P<0.05). Only pNGAL was independently associated with the presence of APN in a multivariable logistic regression analysis (P<0.05). Conclusion: In children with febrile UTIs, pNGAL might be associated with leukocyte differential count and the presence of APN.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.9
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• pp.179-191
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• 2000

Anti-bone resorption properties of the Korean herbal medicine, CEDR, which is comprised 5 herbs of [Drynariae Rhizoma, Loranthi Ramus, Cibotii Rhizoma, Amydae carapax, Psoraleae semen], were investigated. Mouse calvarial osteoblast cells were isolated and cultured. Mouse osteoblasts, which were stimulated by PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, $TNF-\alpha$ and IL-1 as bone resorption agents, showed increased collagenolysis by producing the active gelatinase. IL-1 in stimulating bone resorption was examined using fetal mouse long bone organ culture. IL-1 stimulated bone resorption and produced marked resorption when present simultaneously. The results of in vitro cytotoxicities showed that CEDR extracts have no any cytotoxicities in concentrations of $1-60{\mu}g/ml$ and furthermore there is no any cytotoxicity even in concentration of $120{\mu}g/ml$ on mouse calvarial bone cells. CEDR extracts had protective activity against PTH (5 units/ml, or $IL-1{\alpha}$ (1 ng/ml) or $TNF-\alpha$ or $1,25(OH)_2D_3$ (20 ng/ml), $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ collagenolysis in the mouse calvarial cells. Pretreatment of the CEDR extracts for 1 h, which by itself had little effect on cell survival, did not enhance the collagenolysis, nor significantly reduced the collagenolysis by pretreatment. Furthermore, the medicinal extracts were shown to have the protective effects against collagenolysis induced by $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$. Pretreatment of the extracts for 1 h significantly reduced the collagenolysis. Interestingly, the CEDR extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against gelatinase enzyme and processing activity induced by the bone resorption agents of PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $IL-1{\alpha}$ with strong protective effect in pretreatment with the extracts. CEDR extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption and the effect of the pretreatment with a various concentrations of the medicinal extracts were significant. These results indicated that the CEDR extracts are highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in osteoporosis.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.216-218
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• 2014

Lysobacter antibiocus HS124 is a chitinase-producing rhizobacterium with proven capacities to suppress plant diseases. Bacterial cultures of L. antibioticus HS124 showed strong biocontrol efficacies against various plant diseases compared to those of bacterial cultures of Bacillus subtilis QST713 which is an active ingredient of a commercial biopesticide, Serenade. Here, we report the draft genome sequence and automated annotation of strain HS124. This draft genome sequence indicates the novelty of L. antibiocus HS124 and a subset of gene functions that may be related to its biocontrol activities.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2018

In order for monitoring of pathogenic bacterial contamination in the freshly slaughtered poultry meats produced in Gyeong-Nam province, we first isolated 4 strains of Salmonella spp. and 32 strains of Enterococcus faecalis from the total 164 samples, then we analyzed potential virulence gene profiles of the bacterial isolates by PCR using species-specific primer. The potential virulence genes we selected in this study were stn, invA, fimA, spvR, and spvC for the isolates of Salmonella spp. and those of esp, cylM, cylA, cylB, gelE, fsrA, fsrB, and fsrC were for the isolates of E. faecalis. The PCR results showed that all 5 virulence genes were detected simultaneously in the all isolates of Salmonella spp. However, there was a diverse occurrence pattern of the virulence genes in the case of E. faecalis. The gene for enterococcal surface protein (esp) was not detected among the isolates (0/32), and the haemolysin gene prevalence rate of cylA, cylB, and cylM were 3.1% (1/32), 9.3% (3/32), and 9.3% (3/32), respectively. Moreover, the genes of gelE, fsrA, fsrB, and fsrC that associated with gelatinase activity were detected in the rate of 53.1% (17/32), 53.1% (17/32), 53.1% (17/32), and 53.1% (17/32), respectively. In conclusion, in the isolates of Salmonella spp., all possessed 5 virulence genes tested, suggesting that they are all related with each other clonally. However, in the case of E. faecalis isolates, the occurrence of the haemolysin genes (cylM, cylA, cylB) and the gelatinase genes (gelE, fsrABC) was highly variable among the isolates.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.490-497
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• 2010

A chitinolytic bacterium having a strong antagonistic activity against various pathogens including Phytophtora capsici was isolated from rhizosphere soil, and identified as Lysobacter enzymogenes (named as LE429) based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. This strain produced a number of substances such as chitinase, ${\beta}-1$, 3-glucanase, lipase, protease, gelatinase and an antibiotic compound. This antibiotic compound was purified by diaion HP-20, sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and HPLC. The purified compound was identified as phenylacetic acid by gas chromatography-electron ionization (GC-EI) and gas chromatography-chemical ionization (GC-CI) mass spectrometry. In field experiment, pepper plants were treated by the strain LE429 culture (CB), neem oil solution (NO), combination (CB+NO) or control (CON). Plant height and number of branches, flowers and pods of pepper plant in CB treatment were generally highest, and followed by CB+NO, CON and NO. The fungal pathogens were strongly inhibited, while several insect pests were discovered in CB treatment. Any insect pests were not found, while all fungal pathogens tested were not suppressed in NO treatment. However, in CB+NO treatment, non incidence of fungal pathogens and insect pests were found. The strain LE429 producing secondary metabolites with neem oil should be a potential agent to control fungal diseases and insect pests.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.311-326
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• 1999

This study was investigated to observe the effect of Treponema denticola(TDC) and Treponema lecithinolyticum(TLC) on cultured human periodontal ligament cells. Several experiments were performed including MTT test for the inhibition effect of cell proliferation, LDH test for the cytotoxicity , gelatin zymography for the gelatinase activation and observation of cell morphology change using the phase-contrast microscopy. The results were as follows. 1. The effect of concentration on cell proliferation with time showed an inhibitory effect at high concentration $(150{\mu}g/well)$ for TLC and at low concentration( $9.4{\mu}gwell$ ) for TDC. 2. The effect of time on cell proliferation with concentration showed an inhibitory effect at $150{\mu}g/well$ on 2-day incubation for TLC and at $9.4{\mu}g/well$ on 2-day incubation for TDC. 3. The effect of heat-treated TDC and TLC on the inhibition of cell proliferation showed the difference in the heat-treated group compared to the non-heat treated group for TDC, whereas no difference was found for TLC. 4. The morphological changes which were observed from the phase-contrast microscopy showed the difference in the test group compared to the control group. The loss of spindle-like appearance, cell-to-cell detachment and inhibition of cell proliferation were observed. 5. There was no difference of the cytotoxicity effect between the test group and the control group in the LDH test. 6. The active form of progelatinase A with molecular weight 72kDa was activated in both TDC and TLC on the gelatin zymography. Regarding to the above results, TDC and TLC have an effect on periodontal ligament cells by playing an inhibitory role in cell proliferation and appears to activate progelatinase A which degrades type IV collagen.