• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is mainly characterized by disease of joints affected with synovial hyperplasia, pathological immune response, and progressive destruction; all of which represent an important social health problem. These provide new insights in its pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and disease progression in molecular changes. This review focuses on new serological and immunological markers which seem to be useful in early diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, such tests are widely conducted for serological biomarkers and the developments with such immunological factors to identify patients who are at risk for disease progression. This evidence of the disease based on laboratory medicine could provide the best outcome for patients. Finally, data from recent studies will help to refine the ultimate usefulness of this novel approach for early diagnosis, treatment, and helping clinicians to optimize therapy by using this approach.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.945-950
• /
• 2014

Purpose: To explore the value of systemic inflammatory markers as independent prognostic factors and the extent these markers improve prognostic classification for patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving palliative chemotherapy. Methods: We studied the prognostic value of systemic inflammatory factors such as circulating white blood cell count and its components as well as that combined to form inflammation-based prognostic scores (Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR), Prognostic Index (PI) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI)) in 384 patients with inoperable advanced or metastatic gastric cancer (GC) receiving first-line chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the impact of inflammatory markers on overall survival (OS). Results: Univariate analysis revealed that an elevated white blood cell, neutrophil and/or platelet count, a decreased lymphocyte count, a low serum albumin concentration, and high CRP concentration, as well as elevated NLR/PLR, GPS, PI, PNI were significant predictors of shorter OS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only elevated neutrophil count (HR 3.696, p=0.003) and higher GPS (HR 1.621, p=0.01) were independent predictors of poor OS. Conclusion: This study demonstrated elevated pretreatment neutrophil count and high GPS to be independent predictors of shorter OS in inoperable advanced or metastatic GC patients treated with first-line chemotherapy. Upon validation of these data in independent studies, stratification of patients using these markers in future clinical trials is recommended.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.31-43
• /
• 2013

This review provides a comprehensive summary of the PCR primers and profiles currently in use in our laboratory for red algal DNA barcoding and phylogenetic research. While work focuses on florideophyte taxa, many of the markers have been applied successfully to the Bangiales, as well as other lineages previously assigned to the Bangiophyceae sensu lato. All of the primers currently in use with their respective amplification profiles and strategies are provided, which can include full fragment, overlapping fragments and what might best be called "informed overlapping fragments", i.e., a fragment for a marker is amplified and sequenced for a taxon and those sequence data are then used to identify the best primers to amplify the remaining fragment(s) for that marker. We extend this strategy for the more variable markers with sequence from the external PCR primers used to "inform" the selection of internal sequencing primers. This summary will hopefully serve as a useful resource to systematists in the red algal community.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.6
• /
• pp.750-754
• /
• 2004

This study was performed for parentage verification of the Korean native horse (KNH). 103 random KNH samples (including 19 foals for parentage testing) were genotyped by using 16 microsatellite markers. The number of alleles per locus varied from 5 to 13 with an average value of 8.56 in the KNH. The observed heterozygosity and the expected heterozygosity ranged 0.398-0.893 (the average value was 0.683) and 0.368-0.871 (the average value was 0.727) in the KNH, respectively. The PIC value and the exclusion probability ranged 0.347-0.853 (the average value was 0.692) and 0.208-0.736, respectively, and the total exclusion probability of 16 microsatellite loci was 0.9999. Of the 16 markers, AHT4, AHT5, ASB2, ASB17, HMS2, HMS3, HTG10, LEX33, TKY321 and VHL20 loci have a relatively high PIC value (>0.7) in the KNH. Of the 19 foals, 5 foals were disqualified by an incompatibility of 4-7 markers according to a Mendelian fashion in the present DNA typing for parentage testing. These results present basic information for developing a system for parentage verification and individual identification in the KNH.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.157-169
• /
• 2022

DNA typing is the typical technology in the forensic science and plays a significant role in the personal identification of victims and suspects. Short tandem repeat (STR) is the short tandemly repeated DNA sequence consisting of 2~7 bp DNA units in specific loci. It is disseminated across the human genome and represents polymorphism among individuals. Because polymorphism is a key feature of the application of DNA typing STR analysis, STR analysis becomes the standard technology in forensics. Therefore, the DNA database (DNA-DB) was first introduced with 4 essential STR markers for the application of forensic science; however, the number of STR markers was expanded from 4 to 13 and 13 to 20 later to counteract the continuously increased DNA profile and other needed situations. After applying expanded STR markers to the South Korean DNA-DB system, it positively affected to low copy number analysis that had a high possibility of partial DNA profiles, and especially contributed to the theft cases due to the high portion of touch DNA evidence in the theft case. Furthermore, STR marker expansion not only contributed to the resolution of cold cases but also increased kinship index indicating the potential for improved kinship test accuracy using extended STR markers. Collectively, the expansion of the STR locus was considered to be necessary to keep pace with the continuously increasing DNA profile, and to improve the data integrity of the DNA-DB.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.5-12
• /
• 2008

Objectives : Showing that Bong-Han corpuscles(BHC) are suppliers of the stem cells in adulthood, and the Bong-Han ducts(BHD) are transportation routes of stem cells. Methods : BHC and BHD were obtained from the internal organ-surfaces of rats. The sliced BHC and BHD were immunostained with various stem cell markers. Extracellular matrices were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Result : The presence of mesenchymal stem cells was confirmed by the expression of Integrin beta 1, Collagen type 1 and Fibronectin. But CD54 was not expressed. The hematopoietic stem cell marker, Thy 1 was strongly expressed. BHDs showed Collagen type 1, Fibronectin, and vWF expression. Conclusion : Both hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell markers were expressed strongly in BHC similarly as in bone marrow. An endothelial cell marker(vWF) demonstrated the possibility of the stem cell transportation routes of BHD.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.220-227
• /
• 2005

Recently, the use of an electrical apparatus has brought up concerns of health risks from exposure to electromagnetic fields. EMF is composed of electric fields and magnetic fields. Heavy exposure to EMF can occur only in the vicinity of high-voltage overhead transmission lines, close to transformers and underground cables, and also close to large electrical machinery. In this thesis I have investigated the hypothesis of the correlation between occupational exposure to ELF-EMF and the risks of leukemia, anemia, cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether or not ELF-EMF emitted from electric power stations and transformer substations affect some hematological parameters and tumor markers of electric utility workers. The hematological test results and tumor markers under investigation were similar in the two groups but some of parameters such as RBC, AFP, LDH showed significant difference between the two groups from two sample t-test (p<0.05). The exposure group showed increased LDH level compared to the control group by two sample t-tests. In addition, the abnormal LDH level in the exposure group was observed to be clinically significant by ${\chi}^2$-test. However, the levels of RBC, AFP observed were not clinically significant by ${\chi}^2$-test (p>0.05). These results suggested that ELF-EMF does not affect most blood test parameters except LDH of electric utility workers.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.112-120
• /
• 2001

Genetic diversity of 47 East-Asian vegetable soybean was characterized by means of agro-morphological traits and RAPD markers. A field trial was conducted to evaluate 14 agro-morphological traits. To study RAPD-based DNA analysis, a total of sixty 10-mer random primers were screened. Of these, 23 polymorphic markers in 16 varieties used for screening. Among 207 markers amplified, 48 were polymorphic for at least one pairwise comparison within the 47 varieties. A higher differentiation level between varieties was observed by using RAPD markers compared to morphological markers. Correspondence analysis using both types of marker showed that RAPD data could fully discriminate between all varieties, whereas morphological markers could not achieve a complete discrimination. Genetic distances between the varieties were estimated from simple matching coefficients, ranged from 0.0 to 0.640 with an average of 0.295$\pm$0.131 for morphological traits and 0.042 to 0.625 with an average of 0.336$\pm$0.099 for RAPD data, respectively. Cluster analysis based on genetic dissimilarity of these varieties gave rise to 4 distinct groups. The clustering results based on RAPDs did not match with those based on morphological traits. Geographical distribution of most varieties in each of the groups were not well defined. The results suggested that the level of genetic diversity within this group of East-Asian vegetable soybean varieties was sufficient for a breeding program and can be used to establish genetic relationships among them with unknown or unrelated pedigrees.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1597-1599
• /
• 2013

Since renal failure causes decrease in tumor marker excretion, use of these markers in cancer care and treatment in patients with renal insufficiency or hemodialysis is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate differences of serum levels of tumor markers CA15-3, AFP, CA19-9 and CEA in patients with impaired renal function. A total of 100 patients referred to the Tabriz Immam Reza and Amiralmomenin hospital from June 2010 to November 2011 were selected for study. Subjects were divided to 3 groups of healthy, dialysis and renal failure but non hemodialysis cases, the last category being re-grouped based on creatinine clearance. No significant relationship between different groups in serum levels of CEA (P=0.99) and CA19-9 (P=0.29) tumor markers was found. A significant correlation was observed between serum levels of AFP (P<0.001) and CA15-3 (P<0.001) and also a tendency between creatinine clearance and CEA (r=0.05, P=0.625). Creatinine clearance significantly correlated with AFP (P<0.001, r=0.53) and CA15-3 (p=0.00, r=-0.412), but not CA19-9 (P=0.089, r=-0.171). According to results of this study it appears that use of tumor markers in patients with impaired renal function should be performed with special precautions.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.302-313
• /
• 2023

Y chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) markers have been developed continuously to complement forensic DNA analyses and population genetic studies. Initially, we collected data from previously reported Korean population Y-STR haplotype studies on 1133 individuals. We then conducted a marker expansion analysis using a dataset from the Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), covering up to 29 Y-STRs, referred to as Ymax. Additionally, we examined the impact of rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs included in this expanded marker set on the discrimination capacity. We observed that marker expansions both with (0.9896), and without (0.9510), RM Y-STR improved the discrimination capacity. Subsequently, we focused on 16 individuals belonging to seven distinct groups sharing identical haplotypes. These particular haplotypes had been previously identified among 476 unrelated males using 23 Y-STR markers from the PowerPlex^® Y23 System. We expanded the marker panel up to Ymax to explore how discrimination improved with an expansion of Y-STR markers for these 16 individuals. Among the expanded markers, DYS627, which had high discriminatory power, had a high mutation rate (1.10 × 10^-2) and high gene diversity (0.83). In contrast, DYF387S1 displayed high gene diversity (0.95) but a relatively low mutation rate (2.80 × 10^-3). We propose that these findings will be valuable in the selection of suitable Y-STR markers, depending on the objectives of forensic analyses. Additionally, the presence of frequently observed Y-haplotypes in Korean population will facilitate statistical interpretation in Y-STR DNA profiling.