Diagnostic usefulness of a T cell-based assay for latent tuberculosis infection in kidney transplant candidates before transplantation

Kim, S.-H.,Lee, S.-O.,Park, I.-A.,Park, S.J.,Choi, S.-H.,Kim, Y.S.,Woo, J.H.,Park, S.-K.,Park, J.S.,Kim, S.C.,Han, D.J. Blackwell Publishing Inc 2010 Transplant infectious disease Vol.12 No.2

<P>S.-H. Kim, S.-O. Lee, I.-A. Park, S.J. Park, S.-H. Choi, Y.S. Kim, J.H. Woo, S.-K. Park, J.S. Park, S.C. Kim, D.J. Han. Diagnostic usefulness of a T cell-based assay for latent tuberculosis infection in kidney transplant candidates before transplantation.Transpl Infect Dis 2010: <B>12:</B> 113–119. All rights reserved</P><P>Background</P><P>The presence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (LTBI) should be evaluated before kidney transplantation. Although a new T cell-based assay for diagnosing LTBI gave promising results, this assay has not yet been compared with the tuberculin skin test (TST) for diagnosing LTBI in renal transplant candidates before transplantation.</P><P>Patients and methods</P><P>All adult patients admitted to a single institute for renal transplantation over a 1-year period were prospectively enrolled. A clinically predictive risk of LTBI was defined as: (i) recent close contact with a person with pulmonary TB; (ii) abnormal chest radiography; (iii) a history of untreated or inadequately treated TB; or (iv) a new infection (i.e., a recent conversion of TST).</P><P>Results</P><P>Of 209 renal recipients, 47 (22%) had a positive TST≥5 mm, 21 (10%) had a positive TST≥10 mm, 65 (30%) had a positive T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test, and 25 (12%) had an indeterminate T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test. The induration size of TST was significantly associated with a high positivity rate on T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> (<I>P</I><0.001). Agreement between T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test and TST≥10 mm was fair (<I>k</I>=0.24, 95% confidence interval 0.11–0.36). However, neither univariate nor multivariate analysis showed any association between the clinical risk for LTBI and positivity on T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> or TST.</P><P>Conclusion</P><P>T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> test was more frequently positive than TST in renal transplant candidates. However, further longitudinal studies are awaited to determine whether the ability of T-SPOT.<I>TB</I> assay to detect LTBI in renal transplant recipients can better predict the development of TB than can TST after transplantation.</P>

Cytokine secreted by S100A9 via TLR4 in monocytes delays neutrophil apoptosis by inhibition of caspase 9/3 pathway

Lee, N.R.,Park, B.S.,Kim, S.Y.,Gu, A.,Kim, D.H.,Lee, J.S.,Kim, I.S. Saunders Scientific Publications, W.B. Saunders ; 2016 Cytokine Vol.86 No.-

Dysregulation of neutrophil apoptosis causes pathogenesis and aggravation of allergy. S100A9 exists as one of the proteins in the neutrophils, triggering inflammatory responses by activating the immune cells. In this study, we investigated whether S100A9 affects constitutive neutrophil apoptosis by activating the monocytes in normal and allergic subjects. Supernatant from human monocytic THP-1 cells after treatment with S100A9 suppressed normal neutrophil apoptosis by inhibiting the activations of caspase 9 and caspase 3. S100A9 upregulated the release of MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 in THP-1 cells. An increase in cytokine was suppressed by CLI-095, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 inhibitor, PP2, a Src inhibitor, rottlerin, a PKCδ inhibitor, MAP kinase inhibitors, including PD98059, SB202190, and SP600125, and BAY-11-7085, an NF-κB inhibitor. Src, PKCδ, ERK½, p38 MAPK, and JNK were phosphorylated by S100A9. The phosphorylation of Src and PKCδ was suppressed by CLI-095, and the activation of ERK½, p38 MAPK, and JNK was inhibited by CLI-095, PP2, and rottlerin. S100A9 induced NF-κB activity, and the activation was suppressed by CLI-095, PP2, rottlerin, and MAPK kinase inhibitors. In normal and allergic subjects, supernatant from normal and allergic monocytes after stimulation with S100A9 suppressed normal and allergic neutrophil apoptosis, respectively; MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8 in the supernatant was increased by S100A9. The cytokine secretion induced by S100A9 is related to TLR4, Src, PKCδ, ERK½, p38 MAPK, JNK, and NF-κB. Taken together, S100A9 induces anti-apoptotic effect on normal and allergic neutrophils by increasing cytokine secretion of monocytes. These findings may help us to better understand neutrophil apoptosis regulated by S100A9 and pathogenesis of allergic diseases.

Reconstitution of ST2 (IL-1R4) specific for IL-33 activity; no suppression by IL-1Ra though a common chain IL-1R3 (IL-1RAcP) shared with IL-1

Jo, S.,Kim, E.,Kwak, A.,Lee, J.,Hong, J.,Lee, J.,Youn, S.,Bae, S.,Kim, B.,Ryoo, S.,Kang, T.B.,Her, E.,Choi, D.K.,Kim, Y.S.,Lee, Y.,Jhun, H.,Kim, S. Saunders Scientific Publications, W.B. Saunders ; 2016 Cytokine Vol.83 No.-

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) receptors are composed of ST2 (also known as IL-1R4), a ligand binding chain, and IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP, also known as IL-1R3), a signal transducing chain. IL-1R3 is a common receptor for IL-1α, and IL-1β, IL-33, and three IL-36 isoforms. A549 human lung epithelial cells are highly sensitive to IL-1α and IL-1β but not respond to IL-33. The lack of responsiveness to IL-33 is due to ST2 expression. ST2 was stably transfected into A549 cells to reconstitute its activity. RT-PCR and FACS analysis confirmed ST2 expression on the cell surface of A549/ST2 cells. Upon IL-33 stimulation, A549/ST2 cells induced IL-8 and IL-6 production in a dose dependent manner while A549/mock cells remained unresponsive. There was no difference in IL-1α and IL-1β activity in A549/ST2 cells compared to A549/mock cells despite the fact that IL-33 shares IL-1R3 with IL-1α/β. IL-33 activated inflammatory signaling molecules in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Anti-ST2 antibody and soluble recombinant ST2-Fc abolished IL-33-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production in A549/ST2 cells but the IL-1 receptor antagonist failed to block IL-33-induced cytokines. This result demonstrates for the first time the reconstitution of ST2 in A549 human lung epithelial cell line and verified its function in IL-33-mediated cytokine production and signal transduction.

<i>K</i>-mixing in the doubly mid-shell nuclide ¹⁷⁰Dy and the role of vibrational degeneracy

Sö,derströ,m, P.-A.,Walker, P.M.,Wu, J.,Liu, H.L.,Regan, P.H.,Watanabe, H.,Doornenbal, P.,Korkulu, Z.,Lee, P.,Liu, J.J.,Lorusso, G.,Nishimura, S.,Phong, V.H.,Sumikama, T.,Xu, F.R.,Yagi, A.,Zha North-Holland Pub. Co 2016 Physics letters. Section B Vol.762 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A detailed study of the structure of the doubly mid-shell nucleus Dy 104 1 66 170 has been carried out, following isomeric and <I>β</I> decay. We have measured the yrast band up to the spin-parity <SUP> J π </SUP> = <SUP> 6 + </SUP> state, the K = 2 <I>γ</I>-vibration band up to the <SUP> 5 + </SUP> state, a low-lying negative-parity band based on a <SUP> 2 − </SUP> state that could be a candidate for the lowest energy octupole vibration state within this nucleus, and a candidate for the <SUP> K π </SUP> = <SUP> 6 + </SUP> two quasi-particle isomer. This state was determined to have an excitation energy of 1643.91(23) keV and a half life of 0.99(4) μs, with a reduced hindrance for its decay to the ground-state band an order of magnitude lower than predicted by <SUB> N p </SUB> <SUB> N n </SUB> systematics. This is interpreted as being due to <I>γ</I>-vibrational mixing from a near degeneracy of the isomer and the <SUP> 6 + </SUP> state of the <I>γ</I> band. Furthermore, the parent nucleus <SUP>170</SUP>Tb has been determined to have a half-life of 0.91 ( − 13 + 18 ) s with a possible spin-parity of <SUP> 2 − </SUP> .</P>

간호대생과 의대생의 간호사 이미지 비교

구민진,김수영,방정민,서아영,양희진,윤소람,이윤재,이재은,이지연,정윤경,최수정 이화여자대학교 간호과학대학 2014 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.48

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the difference in the perception that nursing students and medical students have regarding the image of nurses. Method: The sampling group for this study was made up of 111 nursing students and 117 medicine students, conducted from the 19th August 2013 to 3rd September 2013. The tool used for this study is the “Nurse Image Scale”. The data is analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 program, technical stats, t-test and ANOVA with Scheffe test. Result: There was a notable difference in the results(t=6.94, p<001), with the average image perception score of nurses at 3.84±0.34 amongst nursing students being higher than the 3.50±0.38 amongst Medicine students. The average score of the 4 areas tested, “Qualification of a Nurse”, “Role of a Nurse”, “Social Participation of a Nurse” and “Interpersonal Skills of a Nurse” were all marked higher by the nursing students than the medicine students. The average score became notably higher as the period of practice became shorter with nursing students (F=4.21, p=.043). Furthermore, the average score for the “Qualification of a Nurse” was notably higher as the period of practice became shorter (F=3.98, p=.049). Medical students gave an average score for the “Qualification of a Nurse”(F=3.72, p=.027) and the “Interpersonal Skills of a Nurse”(F=4.11, p=.019) which was relative to the development of a nurse’s image, while the average score for the “Role of a Nurse” was notably higher with a longer period of practice(F=6.65, p=.011). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the image perception of a nurse can vary depending on the experience in period of practice. Therefore, together with this study conducted with nursing students and medicine students, there is a need for further studies conducted on image perception of nurses with various experience in period of practice.

간호 대학생의 성 지식, 성 태도와 성 건강 간호 장애감 간의 관계

김다연,김은아,노수경,류아인,박나은,박지혜,서정민,심효정,주성민,한진실,이건정,박수민 이화여자대학교 간호과학대학 2017 이화간호학회지 Vol.- No.51

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate correlation among sexual knowledge, attitude and Barriers to patient’s sexual health of nursing undergraduate students and to provide objective data to promote sexual health-care. Method: Using a descriptive correlation, 304 nursing undergraduate students were recruited through convenience random sampling from August 1st to December 20th, 2016. Data were analyzed using average, standard deviation, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson’s correlation and Multiple linear regression analysis using the SPSS 21.0 program. Results: The correlation between Sexual knowledge and Sexual attitude is statistically significant(r=.289, p<.01). As the level of sexual knowledge is higher, the sexual attitude is more open. And, Sexual knowledge(r=-.307,p<.01) and Sexual attitude(r=.180,p=.002) had a negative relationship with Barriers to patient’s sexual health. Also, Sexual knowledge was the greatest influencing factor on Barriers to patient’s sexual health. Conclusion: This study showed as the level of Sexual knowledge is higher, the Sexual attitude is more open. As the degree of Sexual knowledge is lower, the Sexual attitude is more conservative, and Barriers to patient’s sexual health is more higher. Also, Sexual knowledge is the most influential factor on Barriers to patient’s sexual health.

Guanylate cyclase activator YC-1 potentiates apoptotic effect of licochalcone A on human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells via activation of death receptor and mitochondrial pathways

Lee, C.S.,Kwak, S.W.,Kim, Y.J.,Lee, S.A.,Park, E.S.,Myung, S.C.,Kim, W.,Lee, M.S.,Lee, J.J. North-Holland ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2012 european journal of pharmacology Vol.683 No.1

Natural phenol licorice compounds have been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. 3-(5'-Hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole (YC-1) may enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to anticancer drugs. However, the combined effect of licochalcone A and YC-1 on cell death in ovarian cancer cells has not been studied. We assessed the combined effect of licochalcone A and YC-1 on apoptosis in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines in relation to the cell death process. In the OVCAR-3 and SK-OV-3 cell lines, licochalocone A induced a decrease in Bid, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin protein levels; an increase in Bax levels; loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential; cytochrome c release; activation of caspases (-8, -9 and -3); cleavage of PARP-1; and an increase in the tumor suppressor p53 levels. YC-1 enhanced licochalcone A-induced apoptosis-related protein activation, nuclear damage and cell death. These results suggest that YC-1 may potentiate the apoptotic effect of licochalcone A on ovarian carcinoma cell lines by increasing the activation of the caspase-8- and Bid-dependent pathway and the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway, leading to caspase activation. The combination of licochalcone A and YC-1 may confer a benefit in the treatment of human epithelial ovarian adenocarcinoma.

PCR 기법을 이용한 한국재래산양의 α s2-casein 유전자의 특성

이상훈,상병찬,한성욱,김지애,서길웅 한국동물자원과학회 2000 한국축산학회지 Vol.42 No.4

This study was performed to provide the basic data for preservation and improvement of genetic resources according to finding genetic construction obtained from the analysis of genetic characteristics of α_(S2-) casein gene in Korean Native goat using PCR-RFLP. This study confirmed the amplified product of 1.3kb fragment obtained from the amplification of a α_(S2-)casein loci by PCR. The frequency of a α_(S2-)casein genotype in Korean Native goat was 100% for AA type and the frequencies of a α_(S2-)casein genotype in Saanen were 80 and 20% for AA and AB genotypes. The frequency of a α_(S2-)casein A allele was 1.000 in Korean Native goat, and the frequencies of a α_(S2-)casein A and B alleles were 0.900 and 0.100 in Saanen, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of a α_(S2-)casein gene of Korean Native goat was 99.0% homology with 12 nucleotide sequences difference of that of goat reported in GeneBank(AJ238965.1, AJ238967.1) and was 95.0% homology with 57 nucleotide sequences difference of that of Holstein reported in Gene Bank(M94327). Therefore, this study of molecular genetic characteristics by the analysis of genetic polymorphisms and sequences for a α_(S2-)casein gene should be used as basic data for preservation and improvement of genetic resources in Korean Native goat breeding.

Genetic identification of a novel locus, ACCELERATED FLOWERING 1 that controls chromatin modification associated with histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Lee, S.,Shin, K.,Lee, I.,Song, H.R.,Noh, Y.S.,Lee, R.A.,Lee, S.,Kim, S.Y.,Park, S.K.,Lee, S.,Soh, M.S. Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd 2013 Plant science Vol.208 No.-

Flowering on time is a critically important for successful reproduction of plants. Here we report an early-flowering mutant in Arabidopsis thaliana, accelerated flowering 1-1D (afl1-1D) that exhibited pleiotropic developmental defects including semi-dwarfism, curly leaf, and increased branching. Genetic analysis showed that afl1-1D mutant is a single, dominant mutant. Chromosomal mapping indicates that AFL1 resides at the middle of chromosome 4, around which no known flowering-related genes have been characterized. Expression analysis and double mutant studies with late flowering mutants in various floral pathways indicated that elevated FT is responsible for the early-flowering of afl1-1D mutant. Interestingly, not only flowering-related genes, but also several floral homeotic genes were ectopically overexpressed in the afl1-1D mutants in both FT-dependent and -independent manner. The degree of histone H3 Lys27-trimethylation (H3K27me3) was reduced in several chromatin including FT, FLC, AG and SEP3 in the afl1-1D, suggesting that afl1-1D might be involved in chromatin modification. In support, double mutant analysis of afl1-1D and lhp1-4 revealed epistatic interaction between afl1-1D and lhp1-4 in regard to flowering control. Taken together, we propose that AFL1 regulate various aspect of development through chromatin modification, particularly associated with H3K27me3 in A. thaliana.

V994 Herculis: the multiple system with a quadruple-lined spectrum and a double eclipsing feature

Lee, C.-U.,Kim, S.-L.,Lee, J. W.,Kim, C.-H.,Jeon, Y.-B.,Kim, H.-I.,Yoon, J.-N.,Humphrey, A. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2008 MONTHLY NOTICES- ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY Vol.389 No.4

<P>ABSTRACT</P><P>We report the discovery of a multiple system with a quadruple-lined spectrum and a double eclipsing feature. Our photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic data show that V994 Herculis (V994 Her; ADS 11373 AB) is composed of two pairs of double-lined eclipsing binaries, which we designate as A and B. System A consists of a B8V+A0V binary with an orbital period of 2.083 264 d and system B of a A2V+A4V binary with 1.420 033 d. Our light curves show that both of them have a detached binary configuration. We derive masses and radii of four components (Aa, Ab, Ba and Bb) from the synthetic analyses of light curves and radial velocity curves. The masses of systems A and B are <I>M</I><SUB>Aa</SUB>= 2.83 ± 0.20 M<SUB>⊙</SUB>, <I>M</I><SUB>Ab</SUB>= 2.30 ± 0.16 M<SUB>⊙</SUB>, <I>M</I><SUB>Ba</SUB>= 1.87 ± 0.12 M<SUB>⊙</SUB> and <I>M</I><SUB>Bb</SUB>= 1.86 ± 0.12 M<SUB>⊙</SUB>, with radii <I>R</I><SUB>Aa</SUB>= 2.15 ± 0.05 R<SUB>⊙</SUB>, <I>R</I><SUB>Ab</SUB>= 1.71 ± 0.04 R<SUB>⊙</SUB>, <I>R</I><SUB>Ba</SUB>= 1.59 ± 0.08 R<SUB>⊙</SUB> and <I>R</I><SUB>Bb</SUB>= 1.50 ± 0.08 R<SUB>⊙</SUB>, respectively. These masses and radii are well consistent with the empirical relation for double-lined eclipsing binaries.</P>