• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.243-256
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This clinical study was done to examine metabolic syndrome (MS) and plasma homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with silent lacunar infarction (SLI) and in normal controls. Methods : A total of 154 patients, who were over 20 years of age and visited the stroke prevention check-up center of a university hospital from December 2006 to December 2010, were examined by brain CT or brain MRI, and classified into two groups. We compared the components of MS and HCY levels between patients with SLI (n=74) and normal controls (n=80). Modified ATP III definition was used for diagnosis of MS while Korean standard for waist circumference was used. Results : Prevalence of MS was significantly higher in the SLI group than the normal group. HCY was also significantly higher in the SLI group than the noraml, and the odds ratio (OR) for SLI, comparing high HCY level (${\geq}10{\mu}mol/L$) with low HCY level ($<10{\mu}mol/L$), was 3.64 (95% confidence interval (CI); 1.81-7.29, p<.0001). However, there was no correlation between MS and HCY in the SLI group. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension (HT) was higher in the SLI group than the normal group, but there was no significant difference in blood lipids level between the SLI and normal groups. Of note, HT itself was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 4.58, 95% CI; 1.91-11.01, p=0.001). Body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio and visceral fat area were significantly higher in the SLI than normal group, and visceral fat area was enough to be an independent risk factor for SLI (OR; 2.41, 95% CI; 1.04-5.59, p=0.040). Conclusions : SLI is shown to have significant correlation with HCY and prevalence of MS, however there is no relationship between HCY and prevalence of MS in patients with SLI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.6 no.5
• /
• pp.335-342
• /
• 2012

This study aims to find a way to control infection of community radiology effectively by calculating the degree of contamination, culture and identifying the flora in radiology of five general hospitals in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans were identified as surface flora. These are know to be pathogens of hospital acquired infection and there was no radiology-specific flora. Research subject hospitals were conducting similar infection control education but degree of contamination of each hospital showed significant difference. Difference in degree of contamination according to contact sources were analyzed by Contact sources were classified into technologist-using, patients-using and common-using materials. Analysis of each hospital's degree of contamination showed that patient-using materials were significantly more contaminated than technologist-using and common-using materials (p<0.001). Devices which are similar to each other in monthly average frequency of use showed no significant difference in degree of contamination, but general X-ray devices and chest boards which are used most frequently showed higher degree of contamination than others. In addition, hospital A, B and C which have heavier monthly average caseload showed relatively high degree of contamination on irradiation devices which are used by technologists only or by technologists and patients commonly, office desks and doorpulls. Hence it is considered that intensity of infection control education should be different according to the degree of monthly average caseload. This study provided an opportunity to aware that technologists' feeling of contamination is crucial for infection control of radiology, and the Accupoint ATP public hygiene monitoring system which was used in this study for measuring the degree of contamination was proved to be an effective measuring device for hospital acquired infection management.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.187-192
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Measurement of serum ceruloplasmin level is the first step in screening for Wilson's disease (WD). Despite the rarity of WD in the general population, ceruloplasmin levels are routinely measured through hepatitis screening in both adults and children. Herein, we evaluated the diagnostic value of ceruloplasmin for the diagnosis of WD among children with hepatitis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on serum ceruloplasmin levels measured as a serologic marker for patients with hepatitis at Asan Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) between from January 2004 to November 2013. The diagnosis of WD was confirmed by the identification of pathogenic variants in the ATP7B gene. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of ceruloplasmin, receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed and the area under curve (AUC) were calculated. Results: Measurements of serum ceruloplasmin were performed in 2,834 children who had hepatitis. Among these, 181 (6.4%) children were diagnosed with WD. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of a ceruloplasmin level of <20 mg/dL in the discrimination of WD were 93.4%, 84.2%, and 84.8%, respectively. In this study, 418 (14.7%) false-positive cases and 12 (0.4%) false-negative cases were noted. Using a ROC curve, a ceruloplasmin level of ${\leq}16.6mg/dL$ showed the highest AUC value (0.956) with a sensitivity of 91.2%, a specificity of 94.9%, and an accuracy of 94.7%. Conclusion: The measurement of serum ceruloplasmin was frequently used for the screening of WD in children, despite a low positive rate. The diagnostic value of ceruloplasmin may be strengthened by adopting a new lower cut-off level.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.752-760
• /
• 2004

The function of the [4Fe-4S] cluster containing iron (Fe-) protein in nitrogenase catalysis is to serve as the nucleotide-dependent electron donor to the MoFe protein which contains the sites for substrate binding and reduction. The ability of the Fe protein to function in this manner is dependent on its ability to adopt the appropriate conformation for productive interaction with the MoFe protein and on its ability to change redox potentials to provide the driving force required for electron transfer. The MgADP-bound (or off) conformational state of the nitrogenase Fe protein structure described reveals mechanisms for long-range communication from the nucleotide-binding sites to control affinity of association with the MoFe protein component. Two pathways, termed switches I and II, appear to be integral to this nucleotide signal transduction mechanism. In addition, the structure of the MgADP bound Fe protein provides the basis for the changes in the biophysical properties of the [4Fe-4S] observed when Fe protein binds nucleotides. The structures of the nitrogenase Fe protein with defined amino acid substitutions in the nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways of the Switch I and Switch II have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. These two pathways have been also implicated by site directed mutagenesis studies, structural analysis and analogies to other proteins that utilize similar nucleotide dependent signal transduction pathways. We have examined the validity of the assignment of these pathways in linking the signals generated by MgATP binding and hydrolysis to macromolecular complex formation and intermolecular electron transfer. The results provide a structural basis for the observed biophysical and biochemical properties of the Fe protein variants and interactions within the nitrogenase Fe protein-MoFe protein complex.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.357-366
• /
• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the association between plasma antioxidant levels and metabolic syndrome in male workers, and to provide basic information regarding the control and prevention of metabolic syndrome. We analyzed 163 male workers who had participated in annual medical examinations from January to December 2007. The subjects were classified into normal and metabolic syndrome groups according to the NCEP-ATP III criteria and the Asia-Pacific criteria for waist circumference. Anthropometric parameters, lifestyles, blood lipid profiles, and antioxidant levels were evaluated. As compared to the normal group, the metabolic syndrome group evidenced significantly higher plasma levels of $\alpha$- tocopherol(p<0.05) and retinol(p<0.05), but significantly lower plasma levels of lycopene(p<0.05) and $\beta$-carotene(p<0.05). This tendency was found to be predominantly attributable to increases in the number of metabolic syndrome components. In our simple regression analysis, higher plasma levels of $\alpha$-tocopherol($\beta$=0.001, p<0.01) and retinol($\beta$=0.021, p<0.001) were associated with significantly higher risks of metabolic syndrome, but lycopene($\beta$=-1.499, p<0.01) and $\beta$-carotene($\beta$=-0.048, p<0.01) were associated with significantly lower risks of metabolic syndrome. Retinol($\beta$=0.013, p<0.05) and $\beta$-carotene($beta$=-0.044, p<0.01) were associated significantly with metabolic syndrome, when adjusted for age and BMI. These data indicate that the plasma levels of $\alpha$-tocopherol, retinol, lycopene, and $\beta$-carotene are associated with metabolic syndrome. Specifically, low lycopene and $\beta$-carotene levels in the plasma appear to increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, proper nutritional education programs for male workers are required to increase dietary intakes of antioxidant vitamins. Further studies will be necessary to determine whether antioxidant levels can be utilized as a predictive or a preventive factor.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.224-234
• /
• 2006

We employed human SK-MEL-28 cells as a model system to identify cellular proteins that accompany N-(4-methyl)phenyl-O-(4-methoxy)phenyl-thionocarbamate (MMTC)-induced apoptosis based on a proteomic approach. Cell viability tests revealed that SK-MEL-28 skin cancer cells underwent more cell death than normal HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with MMTC. Two-dimensional electrophoresis in conjunction with matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis or computer matching with a protein database further revealed that the MMTC-induced apoptosis is accompanied by increased levels of caspase-1, checkpoint suppressor-1, caspase-4, NF-kB inhibitor, AP-2, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase, melanoma inhibitor, granzyme K, G1/S specific cyclin D3, cystein rich protein, Ras-related protein Rab-37 or Ras-related protein Rab-13, and reduced levels of EMS (oncogene), ATP synthase, tyrosine-phosphatase, Cdc25c, 14-3-3 protein or specific structure of nuclear receptor. The migration suppressing effect of MMTC on SK-MEL-28 cell was tested. MMTC suppressed the metastasis of SK-MEL-8 cells. It was also identified that MMTC had little angiogenic effect because it did not suppress the proliferation of HUVEC cell line. These results suggest that MMTC is a novel chemotherapeutic and metastatic agents against the SK-MEL-28 human melanoma cell line.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.102-107
• /
• 1983

The effects of saponin, one of major components (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), on the growth of E. coli K-12 and the formation of siderphore was observed The following results were obtained. 1. When E. coli was grown on medium containing 1${\times}$10-5%-11${\times}$10-1% of the saponin, the rate of growth was stimulated at 10-1% of the saponin significantly compared to that of control. 2. When E. coli K-12 was grown on medium containing 1${\times}$10-1% of the saponin, the amount of siderphore was two times as much as the control. 3. The growth of E. coli was observed to be dependent on the concentration of siderophore when siderophore was added to medium. 4. The effect of saponin on the formation of siderophore in vitro was observed to reach maximum at 1${\times}$10-3% of the saponin. Such results suggest that the growth rate of E. coli K-12 could be enhanced by ginseng saponin fraction through stimulation of siderphore formation. We have described the fast growth of E. coli, K-12 and B. subtilis, rapid uptake of 14C-glucose, and high level of other metabolites such as lipids and proteins of E. coli, and B. subtilis in medium containing saponing fraction compared to that of microorganisms without saponin fraction.1∼3Such differences were claimed to be due to rapid uptake of 14C-glucose by widened periplasmic region throught unknown mechanism in the prescence of saponin fraction in medium3 and have raised a question whether there is another possible factor, siderophore4(Greek for iron bears), since microorganisms must secure a sufficient amount of iron for normal growth. These are known to be synthesized by the cells under iron-deficient condition and in most case, excreted into the medium5, where they can complex and solubilize any iron present there. It is generally believed that these complexes are then taken into the cells presumably by specific transport systems, thus providing iron for cell metabolism. Within the group of enteric bacteria, only three species (E. coli, S. typhimurium, and A. aerogense) have, so far, been studied in a ny detail. The main iron-binding compound produced by these species is enterochelin, and its role in iron transport is now well established. And biosynthesis of enterochelin from 2, 3- dihydroxybenzoate and serine in the prescence of magnesium ions and ATP was reported6. 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoate was also shown to involve isochorismate and 2, 3-dihydro-2, 3-dihydroxybenzoate as intermediate.7∼11 The present paper deals with the effect of ginseng saponin fraction on growth, the level of enterochelin formation in vivo and the conversion of 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoate and serine into entrochelin in vitro, and entrochelin obtained on the growth in relation to possible explanation of ginseng saponin fraction on the rapid growth of E. coli, K-12.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.124-124
• /
• 2017

Cadmium (Cd) is of particular concern because of its widespread occurrence and high toxicity and may cause serious morpho-physiological and molecular abnormalities in in plants. The present study was performed to explore Cd-induced morpho-physiological alterations and their potentiality associated mechanisms in Sorghum bicolor leaves at the protein level. Ten-day-old sorghum seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and $150{\mu}M$) of $CdCl_2$, and different morpho-physiological responses were recorded. The effects of Cd exposure on protein expression patterns in S. bicolor were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in samples derived from the leaves of both control and Cd-treated seedlings. The observed morphological changes revealed that the plants treated with Cd displayed dramatically altered shoot lengths, fresh weights, and relative water content. In addition, the concentration of Cd was markedly increased by treatment with Cd, and the amount of Cd taken up by the shoots was significantly and directly correlated with the applied level of Cd. Using the 2-DE method, a total of 33 differentially expressed protein spots were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Of these, treatment with Cd resulted in significant increases in 15 proteins and decreases in 18 proteins. Significant changes were absorbed in the levels of proteins known to be involved in carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional regulation, translation and stress responses. Proteomic results revealed that Cd stress had an inhibitory effect on carbon fixation, ATP production and the regulation of protein synthesis. In addition, the up-regulation of glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450 may play a significant role in Cd-related toxicity and stress responses. Our study provides insights into the integrated molecular mechanisms involved in response to Cd and the effects of Cd on the growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings. The upregulation of these stress-related genes may be candidates for further research and use in genetic manipulation of sorghum tolerance to Cd stress.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
• /
• 2017.06a
• /
• pp.141-141
• /
• 2017

The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is the major regulatory mechanism in a number of cellular processes for selective degradation of proteins and involves three steps: (1) ATP dependent activation of ubiquitin by E1 enzyme, (2) transfer of activated ubiquitin to E2 and (3) transfer of ubiquitin to the protein to be degraded by E3 complex. F-box proteins are subunit of SCF complex and involved in specificity for a target substrate to be degraded. F-box proteins regulate many important biological processes such as embryogenesis, floral development, plant growth and development, biotic and abiotic stress, hormonal responses and senescence. However, little is known about the F-box genes in wheat. The draft genome sequence of wheat (IWGSC Reference Sequence v1.0 assembly) used to analysis a genome-wide survey of the F-box gene family in wheat. The Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profiles of F-box (PF00646), F-box-like (PF12937), F-box-like 2 (PF13013), FBA (PF04300), FBA_1 (PF07734), FBA_2 (PF07735), FBA_3 (PF08268) and FBD (PF08387) domains were downloaded from Pfam database were searched against IWGSC Reference Sequence v1.0 assembly. RNA-seq paired-end libraries from different stages of wheat, such as stages of seedling, tillering, booting, day after flowering (DAF) 1, DAF 10, DAF 20, and DAF 30 were conducted and sequenced by Illumina HiSeq2000 for expression analysis of F-box protein genes. Basic analysis including Hisat, HTseq, DEseq, gene ontology analysis and KEGG mapping were conducted for differentially expressed gene analysis and their annotation mappings of DEGs from various stages. About 950 F-box domain proteins identified by Pfam were mapped to wheat reference genome sequence by blastX (e-value < 0.05). Among them, more than 140 putative F-box protein genes were selected by fold changes cut-offs of > 2, significance p-value < 0.01, and FDR<0.01. Expression profiling of selected F-box protein genes were shown by heatmap analysis, and average linkage and squared Euclidean distance of putative 144 F-box protein genes by expression patterns were calculated for clustering analysis. This work may provide valuable and basic information for further investigation of protein degradation mechanism by ubiquitin proteasome system using F-box proteins during wheat development stages.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.51-62
• /
• 1995

It has been well known that ischemia and reperfusion injury to skeletal muscle following an acute arterial occlusion causes significant morbidity and mortality. The skeletal muscle, which contains high energy phosphate compounds, has ischemic tolerance. During the ischemia, the ATP is catalyzed to hypoxanthine anaerobically and hypoxanthine dehydrogenase is converted to xanthine oxidase. During reperfusion, the hypoxanthine is catalyzed to xanthine by xanthine oxidase under $O_2$, presence and that results in production of cytotoxic oxygen free radicals. These cytotoxic free radicals, $O_2^-,\;H_{2}O_2,\;OH^-$, are toxic and make lesions in skeletal muscle during reperfusion. The authors perform the present study to investigate the effects of allopurinol, the inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, on reperfused ischemic skeletal muscles by observing the ultrastructural changes of the muscle fibers. A total of 48 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats weighing from 200 g to 250 g were used as experimental animals. Under urethane(3.0mg/kg., IP) anesthesia, lower abdominal incision was done and the left common iliac artery were ligated by using vascular clamp for 1, 2 and 6 hours. The left rectus femoris muscles were obtained at 6 hours after the removal of vascular clamp. In the allopurinol pretreated group, 50mg/kg of allopurinol was administered once a day for 2 days and before 2 hours of ischemia. The specimens were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prepared by routine methods for electron microscopic observations. All preparations were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and then observed with Hitachi -600 transmission electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. In 1 hour ischemia/6 hours reperfused rectus femoris muscles of rats, decreased glycogen particles and electron density of mitochondrial matrix and dilated terminal cisternae are seen. In 2 hours ischemia/6 hours repersed rectus femoris muscles of rats, mitochondria with electron lucent matrix, irregularly dilated triad and spheromembranous bodies are observed. In 6 hours ischemia/6 hours reperfused rectus femoris muscles of rats, irregularly arranged myofibrils, and many spheromembranous bodies, fat droplets and lysosome are seen. 2. In 1 hour ischemia/6 hours reperfused rectus femoris muscles of rats pretreated with allopurinol, decreased glycogen particle and dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum and triad are observed. In 2 hours ischemia/6 hours reperfused rectus femoris muscles of rats pretreated with allopurinol decreased electron density of mitochondrial matrix and spheromembranous bodies are seen. In 6 hours ischemia/6 hours reperfused rectus femoris muscles of rats pretreated with allopurinol, mitochondria with electron lucent matrix, spheromembranous bodies and dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum and terminal cistern are observed. The results suggest that the allopurinol attenuates the damages of the skeletal muscles of rats during ischemia and reperfusion.