• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 1998

Treatment of $Henoch-Sch\"{o}nlein$ purpura nephritis(HSPN) accomanied by nephrotic syndrome is still controversal, even though both corticosteroids and immunosuppressants have been used for therapy. Azathioprine(AZA) is a chemical analog of the physiologic purines-adenine, guanine, and hyoxanthine and an antagonist to purine metabolism which may inhibit RNA and DNA synthesis and is mainly used for immunosuppressive agent. We studied the effects of AZA in HSPN accompanied by nephrotic syndrome and evaluating the clinical status and histopathologic changes by sequential biopsies following the treatment. Fifteen patients with nehprotic syndrome either initially or during the course of HSPN confirmed by renal biopsies were treated with AZA(2 mg/kg/day) and prednisolone (0.5-1 mg/kg/day qod) for 8months. Folow up renal biopsy was done after treatment in 11 patients. The clinical status of the patients on admission were C(12 cases) and B(3 cases). Improvement of clinical status were showed in 12 cases, but 3 cases were not improved and 1 case was aggrevated after AZA treatment. Complete remission of proteinuria were in 8 cases(53.3%), partial remission were in 4 cases(26.7%) and persistence of proteinuria and hematuria were in 3 cases(20.0%). The loss of hematuria were in 10 cases(66.7%). Histopathologically and immunopathologically, 4 cases were improved. This study suggests that, although control studies are needed, AZA could be used in the treatment of HSPN accompanied by nephrotic syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1994

It has been shown that there are several subtypes of ${\kappa}$ opioid receptor. We examined ligand binding profiles and the effects of various opioid agonists on high potassium-stimulated release of $[^3H]$ histamine. We have evaluated the properties of $non-{\mu},\;non-{\delta},$ binding of $[^3H]\;DIP\;([^3H]\;diprenorphine),$ anonselective opioid antagonist, in rat cortex membranes. Binding $to\;{\mu}\;and\;{\delta}$ sites was inhibited by the use of an excess of competing selective agonists (DAMGO, DPDPE) for these sites. (-) Ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), DIP and bremazocine inhibited $[^3H]$ DIP binding. However, arylacetamides (U69593 and U50488H) gave little inhibition Replacement of sodium by NMDG and the addition of guanine nucleotide influenced the inhibitory potency of (-) EKC, an agonist for {\kappa}_1-and-{\kappa}_2-binding site, but not of bremazocine. This result suggests that bremazocine can be an antagonist at this binding site. Also, we have examined the opioid modulation of $K^+(30mM)-induced\;[^3H]\;histamine$ release in rat frontal cortex slices labeled with $1-[^3H]\;histidine$. The $[^3H]\; histamine$ release from cortex slices was inhibited by EKC in a concentration-dependent manner. However, the ${\delta}$ receptor selective agonists, DPDPE and deltorphine II, ${\mu}$ receptor agonists, DAMGO and TAPS, ${\kappa}_1-agonists$, U69593 and U50488H, and ${\varepsilon}-agonist,\;{\beta}-endorphin,$ did not. The concentration-response curve of EKC was shifted to right in the presence of naloxone, nor-binaltorphimine and bremazocine, respectively. These results suggest that ${\kappa}_2$ opioid receptor regulates histamine release in the fromtal cortex of the rat.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2006

Purpose : The incidence of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is twice as high in East Asians as in Caucasians. However, its metabolic basis has not been clearly explained. The UDP-glucuronosyltransferase gene(UGT1A1) mutation was found to be a risk factor of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. We studied whether neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is associated with the 1828G>A(rs 10929303) polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene, which encodes for a key enzyme of bilirubin metabolism. Methods : The genomic DNA was isolated from 80 Korean full term neonates who had greater than a 12 mg/dL level of serum bilirubin with no obvious cause, and the genomic DNA was also isolated from 164 Korean neonates of the control population. We studied a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of 1828G>A in the untranslated region of the UGT1A1 gene by direct sequencing. Results : Three of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had homozygous mutations and 10 of the 80 neonates with a serum bilirubin level above 12 mg/dL had heterozygous mutations. Thirteen of the 164 neonates of the control group had homozygous mutations and 16 neonates of the control group had heterozygous mutations. The allele frequency of 1828G>A polymorphism of UGT1A1 in the hyperbilirubinemia group was 10.0 percent, which was not significantly different from the allele frequency of 12.8 percent in the control group. Conclusion : In this study, the 1828G>A polymorphism of the UGT1A1 gene was detected in the Korean neonates with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Our results indicated that this SNP is not associated with the prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia in Koreans.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2009

Purpose : Many gene polymorphisms are associated with coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease. Catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT) plays an important role in the metabolism of catecholamines, catechol estrogen, and catechol drugs. Polymorphisms of the COMT gene are reported to be associated with myocardial infarction and coronary artery abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between COMT gene polymorphisms and coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease patients. Methods : One hundred and one Korean children with Kawasaki disease and 306 healthy Korean control subjects were enrolled in this study. The polymorphisms of the COMT gene were analyzed by direct sequencing. Results : There were no differences in the genotype and allelic frequency of the rs4680 and rs769224 polymorphic sites between Kawasaki disease and control subjects. Further, no significant difference was found in the rs4680 polymorphism between patients with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P=0.32, dominant P=0.74, recessive P=0.13). However, the distribution of the rs769224 polymorphism was significantly different between patients with coronary artery abnormalities and patients without coronary artery abnormalities (codominant P= 0.0077, dominant P=0.0021, recessive P=0.16). Conclusion : Our results indicate that the polymorphisms of the rs769224 gene might be related to the development of coronary artery abnormalities in Kawasaki disease.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.213-231
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• 2000

이 연구의 목적은 다공성의 CPP 내부에 쥐의 장골의 골수에서 유래된 세포를 접종하고 3차 원적으로 배양하여 CPP가 골 형성을 위한 조직공학의 지지체로 적용가능한가를 연구하는 것과 Calcium PolyPhosphate(CPP)의 돌연변이 유발성을 검사하는 것이다. 무수 ($Ca(H_2PO_4)$)를 condensation하여 무결정의 ($Ca(PO_3)$)를 얻고 이를 용융하고 냉각시킨 후 분쇄하여 Calcium polyphosphate(CPP) powder를 얻었다. 다공성의 CPP는 5% $SiO_2$를 첨가하여 sponge 형태로 $450-550{\mu}m$ 소공의 크기를 가지는 것과(CPP-45ppi) $200-300{\mu}m$의 소공의 크기를 가지는 것(CCP-60ppi) 2가지로 제작하였다. 각각의 CPP matrices는 $5mm{\times}5mm{\times}1mm$의 블록 형태로 만들었다. 체중 100g 내외의 백서에서 장골(femur, tibia)을 채취하여 백서의 장골 골수 세포를 분리하여 배양한 후 24well에 CPP block을 넣고 CPP block 당 $10^5$개의 배양한 세포를 접종하였다. 배양 1, 7, 14, 및 21 일째에 각 well에서 trypsin EDTA를 이용하여 2회 반복하여 cell을 분리하였고, 원심분리한 후 hemacytometer로 측정하였다. 또, 45ppi와 60ppi, 그 리 고 Tissue Culture Polystyrene(control group)에 접종, 배양된 세포들의 염기성 인산분해효소활성도를 배양 7, 14, 및 21 일째에 각각 측정하였다. 각 기간별로 배양된 세포-CPP 혼합체내에서 세포의 부착 및 증식과 형성된 조직의 3차원적 형태를 관찰하기 위하여 주사전자현미경하에서의 관찰하였다. CPP의 돌연변이 유발성 검사 (mutagenicity test)를 위해 hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase(HPRT) assay를 하였다. NIH3T3 cell line과 CHO-K1 cell line으로 각각 $1000{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ 그리고 $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$의 CPP 농도에서 측정하였다. 통계적 분석을 위해서 모든 측정은 각군당 4개체 이상 시험하였고, 각 측정값은 평균값${\pm}$표준편차로 나타내었다. 각 군간의 통계적 유의성 검정을 위해서 Analysis of variance(ANOVA)를 이용하였고 Tukey의 방법으로 사후분석을 실시하였다. 제작된 CPP matrices 소공들이 서로간에 연결이 잘 되어있는 형태였다. 두 가지로 제조된 CPP(45ppi와 60ppi) 모두에서 세포의 부착이 잘 일어났고, 부착된 세포의 분열도 잘 일어났다. 2 가지의 CPP 모두에서 7, 14, 21일째의 세포 수는 1일째에 비해 유의성 있게 증가하였다(P<0.01). 3차원적 구조인 Calcium PolyPhosphate에서 배양한 세포는 24well dish(tissue culture polystyrene)에서 평면적으로 배양한 대조군의 세포에서 보다 염기성 인산분해효소 (Alkaline Phosphatase)를 유의성 있게 높게 나타냈다. 주사전자현미경에서 세포-CPP 혼합체를 관찰한 결과, CPP block에 세포들이 잘부착되어 있었고, 시간이 지남에 따라 세포가 여러 층을 형성하면서 뭉치는 현상을 보였다. 또, HPRT assay 결과 , Calcium PolyPhosphate는 돌연변이 유발성을 보이지 않았다. 이상의 결과로 볼 때 CPP에는 세포부착이 잘 일어나고, 지지체 상에서 세포의 분열도 활발하게 일어나므로 골조직을 위한 조직공학의 우수한 지지체가 될 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Background/Aims : Entecavir is a synthetic nucleoside analogue, cyclopentyl guanine nucleoside, which has a potent antiviral effect and the least viral breakthrough in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. Entecavir has been available in Korea since 2007 but there are few reports on its effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the virological response (VR) and biochemical response (BR) to entecavir in HBV patients at 3, 6 and 9 months after treatment with entecavir. Materials and Methods : Thirty-three chronic hepatitis B patients who took entecavir for at least 9 months were enrolled. We investigated VR and BR by retrospectively reviewing medical records. Patients who satisfied the following criteria were chosen: 1) initial alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels = 1.5upper limit of normal (ULN) and 2) initial HBV DNA levels = $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$. We measured ALT levels every 3 months until month 9. HBV DNA was measured every 2 or 3 months by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results : Most patients taking entecavir showed good BR (ALT < 40 IU/L). The BR rates were 61%, 73% and 67% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. VR (HBV DNA < $5\;log_{10}\;copies/ml$ or 2 log lower than initial HBV DNA) rates were 82%, 91% and 91% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Undetectable HBV DNA (HBV DNA < 4 log10 copies/ml) rates were 49%, 73% and 85% at months 3, 6 and 9, respectively. Two patients presented with virological breakthrough without adverse effects until month 9. Conclusions : Entecavir showed good BR and VR from month 3 and these effects continued through the 9-month observation period. This suggests that entecavir is also a good choice for the first line treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Further studies are needed to determine the long-term efficacy and drug resistance of entecavir in Korean CHB patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Pathology Conference
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• 1995.06b
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• pp.77-96
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• 1995

To obtain basic informations for the improvement of seed potato production in Korea, some etiological properties of potato virus Y(PVY) distributed in the major seed potato production area(Daekwanryeong) were characterized, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the coat protein gene of the PVY strains isolated were analyzed. PVY strains in Daekwonryeong, an alpine area, were identified to be two strains, PVYo and PVYN by symptoms of indicator plants, and their distribution in potato fields was similar. Major symptom on potato varieties by PVY was grouped as either mosaic alone or mosaic accompanied with veinal necrosis in the lower leaves. The symptom occurrence of the two symptoms was similar with Irish Cobbler, but Superior showed a higher rate of mosaic symptom than the other. The PVY strain which was isolated from potato cv. Superior showing typical mosaic symptoms produced symptoms of PVY-O on the indicator plants of Chenopodium amaranticolor, Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nc and Physalis floridana, but no symptom o Capsicum annum cv. Ace. Moreover, results from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies showed that the isolated PVY reacts strongly with PYV-O antibodies but does not react specifically with PVY-T antibodies. The purified virus particles were flexious with a size of 730$\times$11nm. On the basis of the above characteristics, the strain was identified to be a PVY-O and named as of PVY-K strain. The flight of vector aphids was observed in late May, however, the first occurrence of infected plants was in mid June with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants and early July with the bait plants surrounded with PVY-free potato plants. PVY infection rates by counting symptoms on bait plants (White Burley) were 1.1% with the field surrounded with PVY-free potato plants and 13.7% the fields surrounded with PVY-infected potato plants, showing the effect of infection pressure. The propagated PVY-K strain on tobacco(N. sylvestris) was purified, and the RNA of the virus was extracted by the method of phenol extraction. The size of PVY-K RNA was measured to be 9, 500 nucleotides on agarose gel electrophoresis. The double-stranded cDNAs of PVY-K coat protein(CP) gene derived by the method of polymerase chain reaction were transformed into the competent cells of E. coli JM 109, and 2 clones(pYK6 and pYK17) among 11 clones were confirmed to contain the full-length cDNA. Purified plasmids from pYK17 were cut with Sph I and Xba I were deleted with exonuclease III and were used for sequencing analysis. The PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 801 nucleotides when counted from the clevage site of CAG(Gln)-GCA(Ala) to the stop codon of TGA and encoded 267 amino acids. The molecular weight of the encoded polypeptides was calculated to be 34, 630 daltons. The base composition of the CP gene was 33.3% of adenine, 25.2% of guanine, 20.1% of cytosine and 21.4% of uracil. The polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene was comprised of 22 alanines, 20 threonines, 19 glutamic acids and 18 glycines in order. The homology of nucleotide sequence of PVY-K CP gene with those of PVY-O(Japan), PVY-T(Japan), PVY-TH(Japan), PVYN(the Netherlands), and PVYN(France) was represented as 97.3%, 88.9%, 89.3%, 89.6% and 98.5%, respectively. The amino acid sequence homology of the polypeptide encoded by PVY-K CP gene with those encoded by viruses was represented as 97.4%, 92.5%, 92.9%, 92.9%, and 98.5%, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.412-416
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• 2011

Taste sensation plays a crucial role in selecting and ingesting foods with different qualities which convey information about their nutrient content and/or safety. Sweetness is one of the five modalities in humans and serves as an energy resource for metabolism. There are reports on allelic polymorphisms which influence perception of sweetness in mice and humans. Since the influence of genetic factors on taste disorder has not been studied, we investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms in TAS1R3 and guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha transducing 3 (GNAT3) genes and taste disorder. A total of 150 individuals composed of 50 patients with taste disorder and 100 healthy controls were recruited for the study and PCR-mediated directing sequencing method was used to genotype for two different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - rs307355 (T>C) and rs35744813 (T>C) in the TAS1R3 gene, and rs7792845 (T>C) and rs1524600 (C>T) in the the GNAT3 gene. The allele and genotype frequencies of rs307355 and rs35744813 in the TAS1R3 gene showed a significant association between patients with taste disorder (p=0.022 and p=0.013 in both of SNPs, respectively). In addition, the frequency of T-T haplotype in the TAS1R3 gene was higher in taste disorder cases than in the controls (OR, 1.93: 95%. CI, 1.09-3.39, p=0.022). In the GNAT3, the genotype frequency of rs7792845 in the patients was also different from the controls (p=0.048), but allele frequency was not significantly associated in either group. Our result provides the frequencies of SNPs and haplotypes of the TAS1R3 and GNAT3 genes for the fundamental information of nutrigenetics in perception of the taste of sweetness in the Korean population. Also, the study suggests that the allelic polymorphisms of TAS1R3 and GNAT3 genes may be useful as a molecular marker for evaluating patients with taste disorder. Further studies with large samples are required to clarify our observation.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Rice is one of the most important staple foods in Wnju, Jeonbuk, South Korea. However, rice consumption has dramatically decreased as eating habits have diversified owing to rapid economic growth. Recently, floury endosperm rice varieties have been developed to invigorate the rice processing industry, because dry-milled rice flour is economically and environmentally suitable for massive rice flour distribution. The National Institute of Crop Science has developed 'AromaT', an early-maturing black rice with floury-endosperm, suitable for tea and dry milling. 'AromaT' was derived from a cross between 'Suweon542' as the floury endosperm source and 'Heugjinju' as the black and aromatic source. In this study, 'AromaT' and its parents, 'Suweon542' and 'Heugjinju', were analyzed for agronomic traits, anthocyanin content, and their major physicochemical properties by different planting date. The field experiment was conducted in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do Province, South Korea, in 2019. The transplanting dates were May 30 (ordinary season), June 25 (double-cropping season), and July 10 (late season). The yield performance of brown rice 'AromaT' was 330 kg/10 a in the double-cropping cultivation method and was the highest among the transplanting dates. The floury endosperm of 'AromaT' was derived from 'Suweon542' containing 'flo7', located on chromosome 5 and known to control floury endosperm. With the late planting date, the anthocyanin content of 'AromaT' was 570.5 mg/100 g, much higher than that of 'Heugjinju' (376.3 mg/100 mg). The brown rice of 'AromaT' also exhibited the pop-corn-flavoring 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, exclusively detected in aroma rice varieties. The average particle sizes of 'AromaT' and 'Suweon542' were 67.12 ㎛ and 70.9 ㎛, respectively, lower than that of 'Heugjinju' (95.5 ㎛) with a black transparent endosperm. The average damaged starch content of 'AromaT' was 8.1%, lower than that of 'Heugjinju' (10.05%) and Suweon542 (9.5%). As a result, 'AromaT' with high anthocyanin content, fine particle size, and low damaged starch content is expected to provide a new rice material in various processing fields.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2024

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an Clinical symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on residual enzyme activity and genetic mutations. In Korea, 27 cases of LNS have been reported. We report the results of an 11-year comparative follow-up of two cases of children who visited because of pink diapers, one who died from LNS with no residual enzymes and one case with partial residual enzymes. Case 1: During follow-up, seizures, developmental delay, and regression were observed. The boy experienced insomnia and severe constipation. He exhibited self-mutilating behavior, a grand mal seizure, scoliosis with severe spasticity, truncal hypotonia, choreoathetoid movement, and ataxia. After prolonged emaciation, staghorn calculi, and recurrent pneumonia, the patient died suddenly at the age of 11 years. Genetic testing revealed a hemizygous HPRT1 variant (c.151C>T (p.Arg51Ter)). Uric acid level was 10.5 mg/dL (normal range: ~3.5-7.9) and HPRT activity 0.02 nmol/hr/spot (10-23.8 nmol/hr/spot). Case 2: During follow-up, the patient remained underweight. He has normal intelligence attending primary school. Self-mutilation symptoms were not observed. Regular renal ultrasonography did not reveal urolithiasis. The patient had a hemizygous HPRT1 variant (c.35A>C (p.Asp12Ala)). Uric acid level and HPRT activity were 11 mg/dL and 0.56 nmol/hr/spot. Pink diapers after the neonatal period and severe protein aversion, neurological problems, and kidney stones, differentiation for LNS is necessary. When suspected, serum uric acid levels, HPRT enzyme activity, and molecular biological tests may be helpful in predicting the prognosis of LNS.