• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 1999

In this study, to evaluate newly developed Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine candidate CJ50003, we assessed its immunogenicity along with a previously commercialized inactivated JE Biken vaccine. The CR0003 viral antigens produced in Vero cells were administered suhcutaneouly to mice either with alum-adjuvanled or free form. The ELISA titers and neutralizing (NEUV antibody titers accounting for major protective immunity in JE were determined. Mice given alum-adjuvanted vaccine had a 10 times higher antigen-specific NEUT antibody response than did those which {lad received free antigens. This NEUT antibody response was maintained until day 168 with NEUT titer more than 1:160. Even with the 0.5 ng of alum-adjuvanted antigen dose, NEUT titer was induced more than 1:10 which is considered as an evidence for seroconversion and protection. Thc mice immune sera had a similar rate of cross-reactivity against three different viral antigens, Nakayama-NlH, P3 and SA14; as determined by ELISA assay. In a mice challenge model, vaccination with the GI50003 conferred more protection than with commercialized Biken vaccine against Nakayama virus. These data demonstrated that CJ50003 vaccine candidate has an excellent prophylactic efficacy and implicated it has a strong potential for further development and commercialization.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2007

Transgenic mice were generated by microinjecting a plasmid DNA containing the SV40 (simian virus 40) large T antigen (Tag) gene fused with mouse albumin promoter/enhancer sequences into fertilized one-cell mouse embryos. Among eleven founder transgenic animals, four developed hepatocellular carcinoma, two showed kidney cancer and one developed skin and brain tumors. Three stable transgenic lines, #1-2, #1-6 and #1-11 were established. Members of the lines #1-6 and #1-11 reproducibly developed liver tumors by 8 to 10 weeks of age but did not exhibit any phenotypic changes in other tissues. Histological changes loading to liver tumor formation occurred with predictable kinetics and could be classified into three distinct stages; (a) newborn to 3 weeks of age, characterized by hyperplastic hepatocytes with reduced amounts of cytoplasm without any nuclear alterations, (b) between 4 to 8 weeks of age, characterized by diffuse liver cell dysplasia without observable tumor nodules, and (c) 9 weeks of age and thereafter, characterized by hepatocellular carcinomas in the background of extensive liver dysplasia. Metastasis to the lung from a liver carcinoma was observed in #1-11 founder animal. This transgenic mouse system displays similarities with human liver cancers in a number of aspects and provides a useful model for the study of molecular events involved in hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.178-184
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• 2004

This research focuses on the overall evaluation of tumor protein (p53) and cell growth marker (Ki-67) in their functions as carcinogenic factors in both a HPV-infected group and in a HPV-noninfected group with the precancerous dysplasia of uterine cervix. Histological grades were determined by the H&E staining and the expression level of p53 and Ki-67 were tested by the immunohistochemistry method. The results were as follows. Among the total of 66 cases, p53 (+) was observed in 19 cases (29.0%) from the mild grade group, 22 cases (33.0%) from the moderate grade group, and 19 cases (29.0%) from the severe grade group. The values correlate with the increase of dysplasia intensity in HPV-noninfected group and showed significant correlation (p<0.05), but there were no significant difference from the HPV-infected group. Among a total of 66 cases, the mitotic index of Ki-67 (+) were observed in 19 cases (29.0%) from the mild grade group, 22 cases (33.0%) from the moderate grade group, and 19 cases (29.0%) from the severe grade group. The values were significantly different against dysplasia intensity (p<0.05), but showed no significant difference from HPV infection. After cross comparing the statistical parameters of p53 and ki-67 in their significance, p53 was shown to be statistically significant with Ki-67 while there was no statistically significant difference with Ki-67 (p<0.05). Taken together, tumor protein (p53) and an index of Ki-67 observed in cervical dysplasia and in HPV related dysplasia of cervix uterine did not have any notable significance with HPV infection. The incidence rate of p53, however, had some significant correlation with dysplasia while Ki-67 had no particular statistical significance. As a result, p53 and Ki-67 can be considered as effective diagnostic markers in predicting the disease progression of dysplasia to cervical cancer.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2007

HCV is a single-stranded RNA virus and more than 1 million new cases are reported annually worldwide. The six major HCV genotypes and numerous subtypes vary in their geographic distribution. It is thought that genetic heterogeneity of HCV may account for some of the differences in disease outcome and response to treatment observed in HCV infected persons. In this study, we determined HCV genotypes among chronic Korean HCV patients and evaluated direct sequence PCR protocols developed. For the study, 232 chronic HCV patient sera were used. HCV RNA was extracted and two pairs of consensus PCR primers were selected in 5'UTR region for amplification of HCV RNA. Amplification products obtained from the HCV positive cases were subjected to automatic sequencing. Sequences were compared with those in GenBank by using the BLAST program. From this study, five HCV genotypes, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2c and 3a were found. HCV genotypes 4, 5 and 6 were not determined. HCV genotype 1b (53.9%, 125/232) and 2a (35.8%, 83/232) were most frequently found. This group was followed by 2b (3.9%, 9/232), 3a (3.4%, 8/232) and 2c (3.0%, 7/232). The data presented here suggest a complex distribution of HCV types and they were well correlated with other reports on Koreans and will be helpful for type-specific follow-up of Korean HCV patients. This study showed that 5'UTR direct sequence analysis is a sensitive and rapid method to identify HCV genotypes.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2015

This article reports the development of an effective test procedure for detection of norovirus (NoV) in foods of diverse matrices. In this study, target foods included fermented milk, soybean paste, powders made from uncooked grains and vegetables, sesame leaves preserved in soy sauce, pickled mooli, and mooli. Viral recovery varied depending on the food matrices or elution buffers tested. Buffers were compared to determine effective elution buffers from artificially virus-contaminated foods. The conventional test procedure for concentrating viruses from food (elution-polyethylene glycol(PEG) precipitation-chloroform-PEG precipitation) was modified to save time by eliminating one PEG precipitation step. The modified procedure (elution-chloroform-PEG precipitation) was able to concentrate viruses more effectively than the conventional procedure. It also removed RT-PCR inhibitors effectively. The modified procedure was applied to target food for genogroup II NoV detection. NoV RNA was detected at the initial inoculum levels 3.125-12.5 RT-PCR units per 10-25 g tested food. The use of this newly established procedure should facilitate detection of low levels of norovirus in diverse foods.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1998

For rapid detection of iridovirus infection, a PCR-based diagnostic method was developed. The genomic DNA from mortality-associated iridovirus was cloned into pUC19 vector. The nucleotide sequences of these clones were compared with sequences of other genes from EMBL/GenBank databank. Based on the nucleotide sequences, PCR primers were prepared and used for PCR. The DNA amplification did not occur from the normal fish cells. In contrast, DNA was amplified from the iridovirus-infected fish cells and purified iridovirus. These results suggest that mortality-associated iridovirus can be detected from virus-infected cells within short time and this PCR-based diagnostic system provides a simple and accurate method for detecting the presence of iridovirus infection.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) shows a distinct geographic and demographic distribution with high incidences in Chinese and Southeast Asians. Current WHO classification divides NPC into nonkeratinizing carcinoma(NKC)(differentiated and undifferentiated subtypes), keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma(KSCC), and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma(BSCC). Relative frequency of histologic subtypes of NPC is known to vary according to the incidence of NPC. Korea is one of the low-incidence countries according to the GLOBOCAN 2008 database by IARC. The aim of this study is to assess the histopathologic types and EBV status of NPC of Koreans. Materials and Methods : We reviewed and reclassified 168 cases of NPC(132 males and 36 females) diagnosed from January 1996 through July 2006. In situ hybridization for EBV-encoded early RNA(EBER) was performed on 146 cases and the results were compared among different histologic types, genders, and age and stage groups. Results : NKC, undifferentiated subtype(NKC-U) was identified in 106 cases(63.1%) and differentiated subtype(NKC-D) in 49 cases(29.2%). Remaining 13 cases(7.7%) were classified as KSCC. NKC and NKC-U were more common in females than in males. EBV prevalence was higher in NKC than in KSCC(NKC-U, 90% ;, NKC-D, 84.1% ; KSCC, 7.7%) and more common in younger age(${\leq}40$) than older age(>40) group. Conclusion : Histologic type distribution and EBV prevalence of NPC in Korean patients corresponded to that of intermediate incidence area. Pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal KSCC is assumed to be different from that of NKC.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Approximately 70% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV types 16/18 and thus the implementation of vaccination programmes with vaccines against HPV types 16/18 will have a major impact on the incidence of cervical cancer worldwide. However, this reduction will not be seen until several decades after full implementation of such vaccination programmes since the vaccines must be given to young adolescents before exposure to the virus and women who are already sexually active are not likely to be protected. Both GSK and Merck insist that even vaccinated women must continue to participate in regular cervical screening by the most sensitive method available since the vaccine can only give protection against up to 70% of cervical cancers. It is unlikely that the current vaccines will be modified to include additional high risk HPV types in the foreseeable future. While HPV testing is highly sensitive, it is not recommended for women under 30 years of age nor for vaccinated women. Additionally, HPV testing has poor specificity. The Digene Hybrid Capture 2 test is licensed for use only in conjunction with a cytology test, not as a stand-alone test, and the high risk panel has recognised cross reactivity with low risk HPV types. None of the other HPV test methods currently commercially available are FDA approved and all must be internally validated before use. This makes comparison of test results between laboratories difficult. The most sensitive and specific screening test currently available for women of all ages is the Cytyc ThinPrep System consisting of the ThinPrep Pap Test (TPPT) and the ThinPrep Imaging System (Imager). The TPPT was the first LBC system approved by the US FDA in 1996 and there are about 4,000 processors in use worldwide. The Imager was FDA approved in 2003 and over 350 systems are in routine use, mainly in the US. 40% of TPPT in the US are processed on Imager. There is clear evidence in peer reviewed literature that the Imager increases laboratory productivity by 100% and growing evidence that Imager detects more high grade SIL than the conventional smear or manual evaluation of TPPT. This aspect is particularly important since the number of cytological abnormalities will decrease as vaccination programmes are implemented. Cytotechnologists will see fewer and fewer abnormal smears and their skills will be put at risk. By doubling throughput, Imager will allow cytotechnologists to maintain their skills.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.315-322
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• 1997

Sixteen cultivars of corn(Zea mays L.) hybrids have been recommended as the government recommended corn hybrids since 1984, however, their forage performances have been mostly tested at two locations, such as Suweon and Sunghwan in the Middle parts of Korea. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to retest the agronomic characteristics and yield of eleven of sixteen government recommended corn hybrids at five scattered locations, such as Icheon, Suweon, Sunghwan, Keonpan and Kwangju in 1993 and 1995 with the intention of improving recommendations to dairy farmers. Among the corn hybrids tested, 'Suweon 19' was susceptible to foliar diseases and poor stay green at all locations in 1993 and 1995. Generally, all hybrids have less lodging and infection rate of rice black streaked dwarf virus(RBSDV) varied by location but mostly not exceed 10%. Infection rate at Sunghwan and Kwangju among locations was the highest as 13.5 and 15.3% respectively. Among the corn hybrids tested, 'Suweon 19' was the highest RBSDV infection rate, but that of 'Kwanganok' and '3282' was lower than other hybrids. At all locations, '3352' and '3394' were the earliest in growth stage, but 'Kwanganok', '3282', 'DK729', 'G4624' and 'DK713' were the latest among the corn hybrids. Ear percentage in total DM of '3352', '3394' and 'G4624' was higher than other hybrids, but that of 'DK713' was the lowest among the corn hybrids. '3352' and '3394' showed the most suitable DM content for silage production at harvest. Among the corn hybrids tested, 'Suweon 19' and '3282' were the lowest DM yield at all locations in 1993 and 1995, but the highest DM yield varied by location. At Icheon, '3144W' and 'G4743', at Suweon, '3352' and '3144W, at Sunghwan, 'DK729' and '3144W', at Keongsan, '3352' and 'DK729', and at Kwangju, '3352' and 'DK689' were the highest DM yield in 1993 and 1995, respectively. Then, '3394' was higher than other hybrids at all locations in 1995. The government recommended corn hybrids tested were generally adapted across the country. However, in forage production situations where wrn should be harvested before the rainy season in late summer, earlymedium maturing corn hybrids, '3352' and '3394' might be preferred.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.66-77
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• 1993

The experiment reported here was conducted at Suweon and Sunghwan. to evaluate desirable agronomic characteristics, forage yield and quality of nine introduced oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars in comparison with the control cultivar Cayuse during the fall and spring seasons for three years. Speed oat and G-sprinter showed earlier in maturity than the control cultivar Cayuse, but Taiho, Zenshin and Almighty were recorded as late types. Taiho, Hay oat and Swallow tended to more lodging than the control cultivar under rainy growing conditions and Taiho, Zenshin and Hay oat were more susceptible to barley yellow dwarf virus among the cultivars tested. At Suweon, the early type cultivars Speed oat and G-sprinter significantly outyielded the control cultivar Cayuse over the 3 years of the fall experiment, but no significant forage yield was found between the early type cultivars and the control in the spring experiment except for 1991 At Sunghwan, the early type Speed oat and late types Almighty and Zenshin significantly outyielded the control in the fall experiment of 1991, but the 3 years of experiment showed no significant difference in the forage yield of oat cultivars in the spring experiment. Over the 3 years of the fall and spring experiments at both Suweon and Sunghwan. the crude protein (CP) content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the early types Speed oat and G-sprinter were lower than those of the control and late types, but the acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents of the early types Speed oat and G-sprinter were slightly higher than those of the control and late types. Results of this experiment indicate that the early type oat cultivars tended to higher forage yield than the late types when sown in the fall, but no cultivar differences in dry matter yield were found when sown in the spring.