• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2002

We have utilized the PCR-RFLP method to detect the ryanodine receptor(RYR1) gene mutation and to estimate the genotype frequencies of the RYR1 gene in commercial crossbred pig population. The exon region(659bp) including point mutation(C ${\rightarrow}$T; Arg ${\rightarrow}$Cys) in the porcine ryanodine receptor gene, which is a causal mutation for PSS, was amplified by PCR and digested with Cfo I restriction enzyme. The RYR1 gene was classified into three genotypes by agarose gel electrophoresis. The normal homozygous(NN) individuals showed two DNA fragments consisted of 493 and 166bp. The mutant homozygous(nn) individuals showed only one DNA fragment of 659bp. Also, all three fragments(659, 493 and 166bp) were showed in heterozygous(Nn) carrier animals. The proportions of normal, carrier and PSS pigs within crossbred population of pigs were 81%, 15% and 4%, respectively. According to the results of analysis of variance for the association of genotypes of RYR1 of pigs at 30kg, day age at 90kg and average daily gains, the RYR1 nn genotype was very higher than RYR1 NN genotype for day age at 30kg with 5% level of significant difference, but no significant difference for association of any other genotypes with day age at 90kg and average daily gain in crossbred pigs. Therefore, DNA diagnosis by using PCR-RFLP analysis for the PSS gene was useful for large-scale screening of commercial pigs in the swine industry.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2017

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a potential stroke treatment candidate. Intranasal delivery is a novel method thereby a therapeutic protein can be penetrated into the brain parenchyma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Thus, this study tested whether intranasal IL-1RA can provide neuroprotection and brain penetration in transient cerebral ischemia. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. The rats simultaneously received 50 mg/kg human IL-1RA through the intranasal (IN group) or intraperitoneal route (IP group). The other rats were given 0.5 mL/kg normal saline (EC group). Neurobehavioral function, infarct size, and the concentration of the administered human IL-1RA in the brain tissue were assessed. In addition, the cellular distribution of intranasal IL-1RA in the brain and its effect on proinflammatory cytokines expression were evaluated. Intranasal IL-1RA improved neurological deficit and reduced infarct size until 7 days after MCAO (p<0.05). The concentrations of the human IL-1RA in the brain tissue 24 h after MCAO were significantly greater in the IN group than in the IP group (p<0.05). The human IL-1RA was confirmed to be co-localized with neuron and microglia. Furthermore, the IN group had lower expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ at 6 h after MCAO than the EC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that intranasal IL-1RA can reach the brain parenchyma more efficiently and provide superior neuroprotection in the transient focal cerebral ischemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2009

The quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors that antagonize TraR, a receptor protein for N-3-oxo-octanoyl-L-homoserine lactones (3-oxo-C8-HSL), a QS signal of Agrobacterium tumefaciens were developed. The structural analogues of 3-oxo-C8-HSL were designed by in silico molecular modeling using SYBYL packages, and synthesized by the solid phase organic synthesis (SPOS) method, where the carboxamide bond of 3-oxo-C8-HSL was replaced with a nicotinamide or a sulfonamide bond to make derivatives of N-nicotinyl-L-homoserine lactones or N-sulfonyl-L-homoserine lactones. The in vivo inhibitory activities of these compounds against QS signaling were assayed using reporter systems and compared with the estimated binding energies from the modeling study. This comparison showed fairly good correlation, suggesting that the in silico interpretation of ligand-receptor structures can be a valuable tool for the pre-design of better competitive inhibitors. In addition, these inhibitors also showed anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.319-324
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• 2019

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are major promising targets in anticancer therapy in human and veterinary medicine. Using immunohistochemistry method, we evaluated the expressionof five types RTK (PDGFR-α, PDGFR-β, VEGFR 2, c-Kit and Abl) in the six canine brain tumor samples (2 meningioma, 2 astrocytoma, 1 ependymoma and 1 choroid plexus papilloma). A total of five samples expressed PDGFR-β (5/6), one sample, the choroid plexus papilloma, expressed c-Kit (1/6), and a total of two samples expressed Abl (2/6). None of the samples showed expression of PDGFR-α and VEGFR 2. We demonstrate that a significant portion of canine brain tumors express tyrosine receptors for growth factors and show that these receptors generally localize to tumor cell membranes and the cytoplasm. Evaluation of immunohistochemical expression for the RTKs PDGFR-β, c-Kit, and Alb in canine brain samples reveals an interesting potential for molecular targeting by TKIs in therapeutic studies of canine brain tumors, and more studies will be needed to assess the interactions and efficacy of these RTKs and TKIs. Based on these results, we have some evidence for novel chemotherapeutic trials using TKIs for canine nervous tumors.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.7 no.2_3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2013

In this study, a novel bombesin (BBN) analogues, DOTA-Ala($SO_3H$)-4 aminobenzoyl-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-$NH_2$ (DOTA-sBBN) and DOTA-Lys(glucose)-4 aminobenzoyl-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His-Leu-Met-$NH_2$ (DOTA-gluBBN), were synthesized and radiolabeled, and their binding affinities were evaluated. Peptides were prepared by a solid phase synthesis method and their purities were over 98%. DOTA is the chelating agent for $^{177}Lu$-labeling, and the DOTA-conjugated peptides were radiolabeled with $^{177}Lu$ by a high radiolabeling yield (>98%). The Log P values of DOTA-sBBN and DOTA-gluBBN were -2.20 and -2.79, respectively. 50.41% of $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-sBBN and 72.97% of $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-gluBBN were left undegraded by the serum incubation at $37^{\circ}C$ for 48 hr. A competitive displacement of $^{125}I-[Tyr^4]$-BBN on the PC-3 human prostate carcinoma cells revealed that 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) were 1.46 nM of DOTA-sBBN and 4.67 nM of DOTA-gluBBN indicating a highly nanomolar binding affinity for GRPR. Therefore, it is concluded that $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-sBBN and $^{177}Lu$-DOTA-gluBBN can be potential candidates as a targeting modality for the Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)-over-expressing tumors, and further studies to evaluate their biological and pharmacological characteristics are needed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2019

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has regulated the definition and requirements of the exposure index (EI). In this study, we calculated the EI of several image receptors in digital radiography system of two different manufacturers according to the method as per IEC, and evaluated the relationship with incident air kerma. To calculate the EI, w e obtained the characteristics curve of each image receptor by increasing the incident air kerma at RQA 3, 5, 7 and 9, respectively. As a result, there was no significant difference in the EI values between different image receptors of the same manufacturer, but EI values of different manufacturer was different despite the same air kerma was incident. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of the digital radiography systems is important in order to use EI as a tool for measuring and managing the radiation dose.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.634-639
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• 2020

In prostate cancer, the androgen receptor (AR) transcription factor is a major regulator of cell proliferation and metastasis. To identify new AR regulators, we focused on Mixed lineage leukemia 5 (MLL5), a histone-regulating enzyme, because significantly higher MLL5 expression was detected in prostate cancer tissues than in matching normal tissues. When we expressed shRNAs targeting MLL5 gene in prostate cancer cell line, the growth rate and AR activity were reduced compared to those in control cells, and migration ability of the knockdown cells was reduced significantly. To determine the molecular mechanisms of MLL5 on AR activity, we proved that AR physically interacted with MLL5 and other co-factors, including SET-1 and HCF-1, using an immunoprecipitation method. The chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed reduced binding of MLL5, co-factors, and AR enzymes to AR target gene promoters in MLL5 shRNA-expressing cells. Histone H3K4 methylation on the AR target gene promoters was reduced, and H3K9 methylation at the same site was increased in MLL5 knockdown cells. Finally, xenograft tumor formation revealed that reduction of MLL5 in prostate cancer cells retarded tumor growth. Our results thus demonstrate the important role of MLL5 as a new epigenetic regulator of AR in prostate cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1078-1088
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of amorfrutin of licorice for Type2 diabetes mellitus. Method: The PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, OASIS, NDSL, J-STAGE, and CiNii databases were searched from the beginning of the search to September 20, 2020, with no limits on language. Extractions and selections from the literature were made by two authors. The study included in vivo experiments with amorfrutins in high-fat diet-induced obesity C57BL/6 mice and leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice and in silico studies. Results & Conclusion: Four studies were finally selected. We confirmed that amorfrutin treatment considerably improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance and reduced plasma insulin and glucose. Amorfrutins bind to and selectively activate Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ), which plays an important role in glucose metabolism. Amorfrutins also strongly bind to the glucagon receptor (GCGR) and work as antagonist. Using the amorfrutins from licorice could therefore be helpful in treating type2 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.12.1-12.11
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• 2021

Background: Bats have been considered natural reservoirs for several pathogenic human coronaviruses (CoVs) in the last two decades. Recently, a bat CoV was detected in the Republic of Korea; its entire genome was sequenced and reported to be genetically similar to that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV). Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the genetic sequences of SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and the two Korean bat CoV strains 16BO133 and B15-21, to estimate the likelihood of an interaction between the Korean bat CoVs and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. Methods: The phylogenetic analysis was conducted with the maximum-likelihood (ML) method using MEGA 7 software. The Korean bat CoVs receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein was analyzed by comparative homology modeling using the SWISS-MODEL server. The binding energies of the complexes were calculated using PRODIGY and MM/GBGA. Results: Phylogenetic analyses of the entire RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, spike regions, and the complete genome revealed that the Korean CoVs, along with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, belong to the subgenus Sarbecovirus, within BetaCoVs. However, the two Korean CoVs were distinct from SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, the spike gene of the Korean CoVs, which is involved in host infection, differed from that of SARS-CoV-2, showing only 66.8%-67.0% nucleotide homology and presented deletions within the RBD, particularly within regions critical for cross-species transmission and that mediate interaction with ACE2. Binding free energy calculation revealed that the binding affinity of Korean bat CoV RBD to hACE2 was drastically lower than that of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: These results suggest that Korean bat CoVs are unlikely to bind to the human ACE2 receptor.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.335-351
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• 2021

Purpose: An underlying factor for the failure of several clinical trials of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapies is the lack of an effective method to identify patients who overexpress EGFR protein. The quantitative dot blot method (QDB) was used to measure EGFR protein levels objectively, absolutely, and quantitatively. Its feasibility was evaluated for the prognosis of overall survival (OS) of patients with gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: Slices of 2×5 ㎛ from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gastric cancer specimens were used to extract total tissue lysates for QDB measurement. Absolutely quantitated EGFR protein levels were used for the Kaplan-Meier OS analysis. Results: EGFR protein levels ranged from 0 to 772.6 pmol/g (n=246) for all gastric cancer patients. A poor correlation was observed between quantitated EGFR levels and immunohistochemistry scores with ρ=0.024 and P=0.717 in Spearman's correlation analysis. EGFR was identified as an independent negative prognostic biomarker for gastric cancer patients only through absolute quantitation, with a hazard ratio of 1.92 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.53; P=0.034) in multivariate Cox regression OS analysis. A cutoff of 208 pmol/g was proposed to stratify patients with a 3-year survival probability of 44% for patients with EGFR levels above the cutoff versus 68% for those below the cutoff based on Kaplan-Meier OS analysis (log rank test, P=0.002). Conclusions: A QDB-based assay was developed for gastric cancer specimens to measure EGFR protein levels absolutely, quantitatively, and objectively. This assay should facilitate clinical trials aimed at evaluation of anti-EGFR therapies retrospectively and prospectively for gastric cancer.