• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.19
• /
• pp.8295-8299
• /
• 2014

Background: H pylori is the main causative agent of Gastric cancer and chronic gastritis. Genetic diversity of H. pylori has major contribution in its pathogenesis. We investigated the prevalence of oipA and iceA1/iceA2 positive strains of H. pylori among patients with gastric cancer and gastritis. Materials and Methods: Sampling performed by means of endoscopy from 86 patients. DNA was extracted from tissue samples using DNA extraction kit. PCR assay was performed and products were monitored by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Results: Urease Test and 16S rRNA PCR did not show significant differences in detection of H. pylori. The frequency of iceA1 allele in patients with gastric cancer was significantly higher than those with gastritis (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in prevalence of oipA and iceA2 genes among the two groups of patients (p>0.05). Conclusions: The iceA1 gene, but the oipA and iceA2 genes, is associated with H. pylori-induced gastric cancer. However, confirmatory studies must be performed in future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.12
• /
• pp.1679-1687
• /
• 2009

Three parathion-degrading bacteria and eight pairs of bacteria showing syntrophic metabolism of parathion were isolated from rice field soils, and their genetic and phenotypic characteristics were investigated. The three isolates and eight syntrophic pairs were able to utilize parathion as a sole source of carbon and energy, producing p-nitrophenol as the intermediate metabolite during the complete degradation of parathion. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the isolates were related to members of the genera Burkholderia, Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Variovorax, and Ensifer. The chromosomal DNA patterns of the isolates obtained by polymerasechain-reaction (PCR) amplification of repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) sequences were distinct from one another. Ten of the isolates had plasmids. All of the isolates and syntrophic pairs were able to degrade parathion-related compounds such as EPN, p-nitrophenol, fenitrothion, and methyl parathion. When analyzed with PCR amplification and dot-blotting hybridization using various primers targeted for the organophosphorus pesticide hydrolase genes of previously reported isolates, most of the isolates did not show positive signals, suggesting that their parathion hydrolase genes had no significant sequence homology with those of the previously reported organosphophate pesticide-degrading isolates.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.113-120
• /
• 2009

Twenty-seven fenitrothion-degrading bacteria were isolated from different soils, and their genetic and phenotypic characteristics were investigated. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence showed that the isolates were related to members of the genera Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Cupriavidus, Corynebacterium, and Arthrobacter. Among the 27 isolates, 12 different chromosomal DNA fingerprinting patterns were obtained by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification of repetitive extra genic palindromic(REP) sequences. The isolates were able to utilize fenitrothion as a sole source of carbon and energy, producing 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol as the intermediate metabolite during the complete degradation of fenitrothion. Twenty-two of 27 isolates were able to degrade parathion, methyl-parathion, and p-nitrophenol but only strain BS2 could degrade EPN(O-ethyl-O-p-nitrophenyl phenylphosphorothioate) as a sole source of carbon and energy for growth. Eighteen of the 27 isolates had plasmids. When analyzed with PCR amplification and dot-blotting hybridization using various specific primers targeted to the organophosphorus pesticide hydrolase genes of the previously reported isolates, none of the isolates showed positive signals, suggesting that the corresponding genes of our isolates had no significant sequence homology with those of the previously isolated organophosphate pesticide-degrading bacteria.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.445-451
• /
• 2023

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a popular indoor ornamental plant in Korea. In August 2021, a severe outbreak of soft rot disease affected Z. zamiifolia in Emseong, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. Infected plants displayed wilting, water-soaked lesions, stem collapse, and green-brown discoloration. The bacterial strain KNUB-05-21 was isolated from infected stems and identified as Pectobacterium aroidearum using 16S rRNA nucleotide sequencing and multilocus sequence analysis based on partial sequences of dnaX, leuS, and recA genes. Confirmation of its affiliation with P. aroidearum was also obtained through biochemical and morphological characterization. To confirm the pathogenicity of strain KNUB-05-21, its suspension was injected into Z. zamiifolia stems. Within a week, soft rot developed on the stems, exhibiting symptoms similar to those observed in field-infected plants. The reisolated strain was identical to those of P. aroidearum. Before this study, P. aroidearum was not reported as a causative pathogen of Z. zamiifolia soft rot in Korea.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8227-8233
• /
• 2016

Background: To investigate polymorphisms in heat shock proteins A1B and A1L (HOM) and associated risk of oesophageal carcinoma in Northeast India. Materials and Methods: The study includes oesophageal cancer (ECA) patients attending general outpatient department (OPD) and endoscopic unit of Gauhati Medical College. Patients were diagnosed based on endoscopic and histopathological findings. Genomic DNA was typed for HSPA1B1267 and HSPA1L2437 SNPs using the polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Results: A total of 78 cases and 100 age-sex matched healthy controls were included in the study with a male: female ratio of 5:3 and a mean age of $61.4{\pm}8.5years$. Clinico-pathological evaluation showed 84% had squamous cell carcinoma and 16% were adenocarcinoma. Dysphagia grades 4 (43.5%) and 5 (37.1%) were observed by endoscopic and hispathological evaluation. The frequency of genomic variation of A1B from wild type A/A to heterozygous A/G and mutant G/G showed a positive association [chi sq=19.9, p=<0.05] and the allelic frequency also showed a significant correlation [chi sq=10.3, with cases vs. controls, OR=0.32, $p{\leq}0.05$]. The genomic variation of A1L from wild T/T to heterozygous T/C and mutant C/C were found positively associated [chi sq=7.02, p<0.05] with development of ECA. While analyzing the allelic frequency, there was no significant association [chi sq=3.19, OR=0.49, p=0.07]. Among all the risk factors, betel quid [OR=9.79, Chi square=35.0, p<0.05], tobacco [OR=2.95, chi square=10.6, p<0.05], smoking [OR=3.23, chi square=10.1, p<0.05] demonstrated significant differences between consumers vs. non consumers regarding EC development. Alcohol did not show any significant association [OR=1.34, chi square=0.69, p=0.4] independently. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the present study provides marked evidence that polymorphisms of HSP70 A1B and HSP70 A1L genes are associated with the development of ECA in a population in Northeast India, A1B having a stronger influence. Betel quid consumption was found to be a highly significant risk factor, followed by smoking and tobacco chewing. Although alcohol was not a potent risk factor independently, alcohol consumption along with tobacco, smoking and betel nut was found to contribute to development of ECA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.443-449
• /
• 2015

Background: Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are clonal hematologic malignancies originating at the level of the pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that contribute to all stages of malignancy progression. Genetic variants in the MMP genes may influence the biological function of these enzymes and change their role in carcinogenesis and progression. To our knowledge, this is the first investigation of associations between the -735 C/T and -1562 C/T polymorphisms in the MMP2 and MMP9 genes, respectively, and the risk of essential thrombocytosis (ET), and polycythemia vera (PV). Materials and Methods: The case-control study included JAK2V617F mutation positive 102 ET and PV patients and 111 controls. Polymorphisms were determined by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and electrophoresis. Results: No statistically significant differences were detected between patient (ET+PV) and control groups regarding genotype distribution for MMP2 gene-735 C/T and MMP9 gene -1562 C/T polymorphisms and C/T allele frequency (p>0.050). Statistically borderline significance was observed between PV and control groups regarding genotype distribution for the MMP9 gene -1562 C/T polymorphism (p=0.050, OR=2.26, 95%Cl=0.99-5.16). Conclusions: Consequently this study supported that CC genotype of MMP9 gene -1562 C/T polymorphism may be related with PV even if with borderline significance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.8-16
• /
• 2013

We investigated the effect of red cabbage extract (RCE) on cell death in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Cells were cultured in the presence 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/mL concentrations of RCE for 24 hours. MTT assays demonstrated that mitochondrial dehydrogenase activities decreased in a dose-dependent manner in cells (p<0.05). In contrast, the proportion of dual staining with Hoechst 33342/ethidium bromide (EtBr) for cell death increased in a dose-dependent manner in cells (p<0.05). Flow cytometry assays revealed that cell death caused by an apoptotic program increased in a dose-dependent (p<0.05). Also, increased ROS accumulation in cells, as revealed by DCF-DA staining, was observed in a dose-dependent fashion (p<0.05). The apoptosis suppressor gene Bcl-2 decreased significantly at the mRNA level. Pro-apoptotic genes Bax and caspase-3, genes that are related to the last stage of apoptosis significantly increased. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio which is an important indicator of apoptosis, was found to have significantly decreased dose dependence. These results taken together indicate that the effect of red cabbage extract induces cell death in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.543-553
• /
• 2008

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the anti-asthma mechanism of SF on TNF-${\alpha}$ induced activation on A549 (human type II-like epithelial) cells. Using oligonucleotide microarray, we sought to establish the molecular mechanism of the protective effects of SF on A549 cells. Material & Methods : Cells were cultured in three different conditions: 1) negative control group was cultured in normal condition of DMEM, 2) positive control group was activated with TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4. and IL-1${\beta}$, and 3) SF treated group was previously treated with 0.1${\mu}g/ml$ SF after TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4. and IL-1 activation. Cells of positive control and SF treated groups were cultured for 30 min, 1hr, 3hr and 6hr. Results : The comparative analysis of the gene expression profile revealed that proinflammatory cytokines such as IL1F8, IL1F9, IL1R1. IL1RN, IL1RAPL1, IL8, TNFRSF4, TNFSF10c, TNFSF13, TRAF5, and TRAF7 and inflammation-related genes including MMP2, MMP11, MMP14, MMP15, MMP16, MMP19, MMP25, and MMP27 were down regulated with SF treatment. Cell adhesion molecule genes such as ITGB1, ITGBL1, selectin P ligand, selectin E, ICAM2, ICAM3, VCAM1, PECAM, FCER1G and MMP28 genes were also down-regulated in SF treated A549 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that the anti-asthmatic effects of SF could be mediated by regulating specific genes related with cell adhesion, proinflammatory cytokine and inflammation-related genes in A549 cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2010

The molecular epidemiological characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates have demonstrated their genetic diversity and evolution. A total of 137 strains of MRSA clinical isolates was collected from Korean healthcare facility in 2007. The MRSA clinical isolates were analyzed by molecular typings (SCCmec element and agr locus typing), virule nce factor gene detections {(Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), enterotoxin, exfoliative toxin and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1), and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)}. The MRSA clinical isolates were classified as SCCmec type II-agr type 1 (2 strains), type II-agr type 2 (79 strains), type III-agr type 1 (24 strains), type III-agr type 2 (2 strains), type IV-agr type 1 (27 strains), type IV-agr type 2 (2 strains), and non-typable (1 strain, agr type 3). Based on SCCmec types, SCCmec type II (95.1%) and III (88.5%) indicated higher multidrug resistance rate than SCCmec type IV (10.3%) (P<0.001). The most common enterotoxin genes were seg (83.8%), sei (83.1%), and sec (80.2%). The tst gene was present in 86 out of 137 (62.8%) MRSA isolates. All MRSA isolates were negative for PVL and exfoliative toxin genes. The combinations of toxin genes were observed in particular SCCmec types; 97.6% of SCCmec type II strains carried sec, seg, sei and tst genes, 73.0% of SCCmec type III strains carried sea gene, and 89.7% of SCCmec type IV strains carried sec, seg and sei genes. Each of the SCCmec types of MRSA isolates had distinct AFLP profile. In conclusion, SCCmec type II, agr type 1 and 2 have demonstrated to be the most common types in Korea, and the results indicated that the virulence factors are closely associated with their molecular types (SCCmec and agr types).

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.266-274
• /
• 2000

Understanding of microbial community structure in soil-root system is necessary to use beneficial soil and rhizosphere microbes for improvement of crop production and biocontrol. The knowledge of behavior and function of microbes in soil-root system plays a key role for the application of beneficial inocula. Because the majority of the intact bacteria in soil are unable to grow on nutrient media, both culturable and nonculturable bacteria have to be studied together. In our study, culture-independent survey of bacterial community in the soil-root system of red pepper fields was conducted by the sequence analysis of three universal clone libraries of genes which code for small-subunit rRNA (rDNA). Universal small subunit rRNA primers were used to amplify DNA extracted from each sample and PCR products were cloned into pGEM-T. Out of 27 clones sequenced, 25 clones were from domain bacteria. Two of the rDNA sequences were derived from eukaryotic organelles. Within the domain bacteria, several kingdoms were represented : the Proteobacteria (16 clones). Cytophyga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides group (2 clones). the high G+C content gram-positive group(1 clone) and 4 unknown clones.