A multiplex PCR system for 13 RM Y-STRs with separate amplification of two different repeat motif structures in DYF403S1a

Lee, E.Y.,Lee, H.Y.,Kwon, S.Y.,Oh, Y.N.,Yang, W.I.,Shin, K.J. ELSEVIER SCIENCE B V AMSTERDAM 2017 FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS Vol.26 No.-

<P>In forensic science and human genetics, Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) have been used as very useful markers. Recently, more Y-STR markers have been analyzed to enhance the resolution power in haplotype analysis, and 13 rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs have been suggested as revolutionary tools that can widen Y-chromosomal application from paternal lineage differentiation to male individualization. We have constructed two multiplex PCR sets for the amplification of 13 RM Y-STRs, which yield small-sized amplicons (<400 bp) and a more balanced PCR efficiency with minimum PCR cycling. In particular, with the developed multiplex PCR system, we could separate three copies of DYF403S1a into two copies of DYF403S1a and one of DYF403S1b1. This is because DYF403S1b1 possesses distinguishable sequences from DYF403S1a at both the front and rear flanking regions of the repeat motif; therefore, the locus could be separately amplified using sequence-specific primers. In addition, the other copy, defined as DYF403S1b by Ballantyne et al., was renamed DYF403S1b2 because of its similar flanking region sequence to DYF403S1b1. By redefining DYF403S1 with the developed multiplex system, all genotypes of four copies could be successfully typed and more diverse haplotypes were obtained. We analyzed haplotype distributions in 705 Korean males based on four different Y-STR subsets: Yfiler, PowerPlex Y23, Yfiler Plus, and RM Y-STRs. All haplotypes obtained from RM Y-STRs were the most diverse and showed strong discriminatory power in Korean population. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.</P>

Investigation into the sequence structure of 23 Y chromosomal STR loci using massively parallel sequencing

Kwon, S.Y.,Lee, H.Y.,Kim, E.H.,Lee, E.Y.,Shin, K.J. Elsevier Science 2016 FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS Vol.25 No.-

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can produce massively parallel sequencing (MPS) data for many targeted regions with a high depth of coverage, suggesting its successful application to the amplicons of forensic genetic markers. In the present study, we evaluated the practical utility of MPS in Y-chromosome short tandem repeat (Y-STR) analysis using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system. The multiplex PCR system simultaneously amplified 24 Y-chromosomal markers, including the PowerPlex<SUP>®</SUP> Y23 loci (DYS19, DYS385ab, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, DYS635, DYS643, and YGATAH4) and the M175 marker with the small-sized amplicons ranging from 85 to 253bp. The barcoded libraries for the amplicons of the 24 Y-chromosomal markers were produced using a simplified PCR-based library preparation method and successfully sequenced using MPS on a MiSeq<SUP>®</SUP> System with samples from 250 unrelated Korean males. The genotyping concordance between MPS and the capillary electrophoresis (CE) method, as well as the sequence structure of the 23 Y-STRs, were investigated. Three samples exhibited discordance between the MPS and CE results at DYS385, DYS439, and DYS576. There were 12 Y-STR loci that showed sequence variations in the alleles by a fragment size determination, and the most varied alleles occurred in DYS389II with a different sequence structure in the repeat region. The largest increase in gene diversity between the CE and MPS results was in DYS437 at +34.41%. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, and deletions (indels) were observed in the flanking regions of DYS481, DYS576, and DYS385, respectively. Stutter and noise ratios of the 23 Y-STRs using the developed MPS system were also investigated. Based on these results, the MPS analysis system used in this study could facilitate the investigation into the sequences of the 23 Y-STRs in forensic genetics laboratories.

Confirmation of Y haplogroup tree topologies with newly suggested Y-SNPs for the C2, O2b and O3a subhaplogroups

Kwon, S.Y.,Lee, H.Y.,Lee, E.Y.,Yang, W.I.,Shin, K.J. Elsevier Science 2015 FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS Vol.19 No.-

Y chromosome single nucleotide polymorphisms (Y-SNPs) are useful markers for reconstructing male lineages through hierarchically arranged allelic sets known as haplogroups, and are thereby widely used in the fields such as human evolution, anthropology and forensic genetics. The Y haplogroup tree was recently revised with newly suggested Y-SNP markers for designation of several subgroups of haplogroups C2, O2b and O3a, which are predominant in Koreans. Therefore, herein we analyzed these newly suggested Y-SNPs in 545 unrelated Korean males who belong to the haplogroups C2, O2b or O3a, and investigated the reconstructed topology of the Y haplogroup tree. We were able to confirm that markers L1373, Z1338/JST002613-27, Z1300, CTS2657, Z8440 and F845 define the C2 subhaplogroups, C2b, C2e, C2e1, C2e1a, C2e1b and C2e2, respectively, and that markers F3356, L682, F11, F238/F449 and F444 define the O subhaplogroups O2b1, O2b1b, O3a1c1, O3a1c2 and O3a2c1c, respectively. Among six C2 subhaplogroups (C2b, C2e, C2e1*, C2e1a, C2e1b and C2e2), the C2e haplogroup and its subhaplogroups were found to be predominant, and among the four O2b subhaplogroups (O2b*, O2b1*, O2b1a and O2b1b), O2b1b was most frequently observed. Among the O3a subhaplogroups, O3a2c1 was predominant and it was further divided into the subhaplogroups O3a2c1a and O3a2c1c with a newly suggested marker. However, the JST002613-27 marker, which had been known to define the haplogroup C2f, was found to be an ancestral marker of the C2e haplogroup, as is the Z1338 marker. Also, the M312 marker for the O2b1 haplogroup designation was replaced by F3356, because all of the O2b1 haplotypes showed a nucleotide change at F3356, but not at M312. In addition, the F238 marker was always observed to be phylogenetically equivalent to F449, while both of the markers were assigned to the O3a1c2 haplogroup. The confirmed phylogenetic tree of this study with the newly suggested Y-SNPs could be valuable for anthropological and forensic investigations of East Asians including Koreans.

돼지 卵子의 透明帶에 대한 單一클론抗體生産과 그 特性에 關한 硏究

金鐘培,劉永春,金昌圭,權五中,鄭盛元,鄭吉生 건국대학교 동물자원연구센터 1991 動物資源硏究誌 Vol.16 No.-

本 試驗은 單一클론抗體의 강한 特異性과 抗體性質의 不變性을 이용하여 發生學的 側面에서 哺乳動物 卵子의 透明帶의 機能과 構造를 이해하고, 또한 種特異的인 精子 受容體의 存在 및 生化學的 構造를 규명하기 위한 기초연구로서, 돼지 卵子의 透明帶를 免疫原으로 하여 BABL/c 생쥐로부터 單一클론抗體를 생산하고 그 특성을 구명하였던 바 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1) 3마리의 BABL/c 생쥐(YⅠ, YⅡ, ZI)에 돼지卵子의 透明帶를 免疫化하고, 複合抗體 生成을 확인한 후 생쥐의 脾臟細胞와 Myeloma(SP2/O-Ag14)를 polyethylene glycol를 融合을 실시한 결과 각각 25.8%, 54.5% 그리고 59.7%의 融合效率을 나타내었으며, ELISQ에 의해 陽性反應을 조사한 결과 각각 17.3%, 32.6% 그리고 6.2% 陽性反應 效率을 나타내었다. 2) YI에서 강한 陽性反應을 보인 6개의 well에 대한 cloning을 실시하고 抗體檢證을 행한 결과 20.8% ∼ 48.4%의 Cloning效率과 54.6% ∼ 82%의 陽性反應 效率을 나타내었다. 3) 강한 陽性反應을 나타낸 항체에 대해 sandwich ELISA法에 의해 isotype을 決定하였던바 2E93C(YⅠ), 3E83E7(YⅠ), 4E3(YⅡ)각각 IgG₂b, IgG₂a, IgM으로 확인되었다. 4) Isotype이 決定된 2E93C9(YⅠ), 3E84E7(YⅠ), 4E3(YⅡ)의 세포를 생쥐의 腹腔에 주사하여 얻은 腹水를 indirect ELISA法에 의해 titer를 決定한 결과 모두 1:400,000 이상의 높은 titer를 나타내었다. 5) 處理區로서 單一클론抗體의 腹水와 對照區로서 normal mouse serum이 각각 2%씩 함유된 배양액속에서 난자를 배양한 후 顯徵鏡下에서 관찰했을 때 對照區에서 배양된 난자의 표면은 정상적인 형태를 나타냈으나 處理區에서 배양된 卵子는 표면에 뚜렷한 沈澱層을 형성하였다. 6) 處理區와 對照區 卵子를 Rabbit anti-mouse IgG-FITC가 1% 함유된 배양액속에서 배양하고 洗滌한 후 螢光顯徵鏡下에서 관찰한 바 處理區의 卵子는 透明帶 주위에서 螢光이 나타났으나, 對照區에서는 나타나지 않았다. This study was carried out ot produce and characterize monoclonal antibodies against porcine zona pellucida, and undertaken as a basic study to develop immunocontraceptive vaccine and to investigate the function of zana pellucida in early fertilization process. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Spleen cells of three BALB/C mice(YⅠ, YⅡ and ZI) which were immunized with porcine zona pelucida were fused with myeloma cells(SP2/O-Ag14) by polyethylene glycol. At the result of fusion, fusion efficiency was 25.8 , 54.5% and 59.7% and positive efficiency 17.3%, 32.6% and 6.2%, respectively. 2. Cloning efficiency was shown to be from 20.8% to 48.4% and positive efficiency of them were 54.6% to 82%. 3. Sub-isotypes of three strong positive antibodies, 2E93C(YⅠ), 3E83E7(YⅠ) and 4E3(YⅡ) were determined by sandwich ELISA method and shown to be as IgG2b, IgH2a and IgM, respectively. 4. The titers of three ascitic fluids containing antibodies, 2E93C9(YⅠ), 3E84E7(YⅠ) and 4E3(YⅡ) were determined by indirect ELISA and all of them showed above 1:400,000. 5. The layer of precipitate was observed on the zona incubated with medium containing 2% ascitic fluid of monoclonal antibody while the eggs treated with 2% normal mouse serum did not. 6. Porcine eggs incubated with medium containing 2% ascitic fluid of monoclonal antibody and followed by subsequent incubation with Rabbit anti-mouse IgG-FITC conjugate showed strong fluorescent light on the zona surface while the zona of normal mouse serum-treated eggs did not show fluorescence.

Experimental Approach to Explosive Nucloeosynthesis with RI Beams

S. Kubono,Y. Yamaguchi,G. Amadio,S. Hayakawa,Y. Wakabayashi,Y. Kurihara,J. J. He,A. Saito,H. Fujikawa,Le Hong Khiem,M. Niikura,T. Teranishi,N. Iwasa,S. Kato,S. Nishimura,C. S. Lee,Y. K. Kwon,I. S. Hah 한국물리학회 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.54 No.1

Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed. Experimental efforts to investigate stellar reactions under high-temperature and high density conditions have been made as a major program using the RI beams from the Center for Nuclear Study (CNS) low-energy in-flight RI beam separator (CRIB) at University of Tokyo in order to understand the evolution of the universe, as well as various stellar phenomena. Specically, two subjects of hydrogen burning are discussed here. One is a reaction study of the pp-chain and the second is of the explosive hydrogen burning, the rp-process. Some s-wave resonances have been identified by the thick target method in the crucial reaction processes in the hydrogen burning. The resonant scattering with the thick target method also succeeded in identifying inelastic resonant scattering, giving proton widths for the first excited state of the target nucleus. This provided very efficiently the reaction rate estimate for the process under high-temperature equilibrium conditions. Possibilities of the CRIB facility in near future are also briey discussed.

Pretreatment HBeAg level and an early decrease in HBeAg level predict virologic response to entecavir treatment for HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B

Kwon, J. H.,Jang, J. W.,Lee, S.,Lee, J.,Chung, K. W.,Lee, Y. S.,Choi, J. Y. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2012 Journal of viral hepatitis Vol.19 No.2

<P><B>Summary. </B> There are few reports on hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) titres during nucleos(t)ide analogues treatment. We investigated the changes in HBeAg levels in patients treated with entecavir and the usefulness of HBeAg quantification for predicting antiviral response. Ninety‐five consecutive HBeAg‐positive patients treated with entecavir for more than 48 weeks were enrolled. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBeAg and HBV DNA were assessed at 4‐week intervals to week 24 and thereafter at 12‐week intervals. Virologic response (Y1VR) was defined as an undetectable HBV DNA level at week 48 of therapy. During 48 weeks, HBeAg and HBV DNA level decreased significantly in a biphasic manner and HBsAg level tended to decease. Fifty‐three patients (55.8%) attained Y1VR. Pretreatment HBeAg levels were significantly lower in the Y1VR group than in no Y1VR group. At week 4 and 12 of therapy, 25% and 41.4% of patients showed a decrease of HBeAg levels with >0.5 log<SUB>10</SUB> and >1.0 log<SUB>10</SUB> from baseline, respectively. These patients achieved more Y1VR than those with less decrease of HBeAg levels (97.7%<I>vs</I> 22.2% and 86.2%<I>vs</I> 29.3%, respectively). HBeAg level at week 12 had higher predictive values for Y1VR than HBV DNA level. Multivariate analysis revealed that a pretreatment HBeAg level of <360 PEIU/mL and the reduction in HBeAg level >1.0 log<SUB>10</SUB> at week 12 were associated with Y1VR. These results suggest that pretreatment HBeAg level and an early decrease in HBeAg level are useful measurements for predicting one‐year virologic response during entecavir treatment.</P>

The microRNA miR-124 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by targeting S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4)

Choe, N.,Kwon, D. H.,Shin, S.,Kim, Y. S.,Kim, Y. K.,Kim, J.,Ahn, Y.,Eom, G. H.,Kook, H. Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. 2017 FEBS letters Vol.591 No.7

<P>S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) induces proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We aimed to find the microRNA regulating S100A4 expression. S100A4 transcripts are abruptly increased in the acute phase of carotid arterial injury 1 day later (at day 1) but gradually decreases at days 7 and 14. Bioinformatics analysis reveals that miR-124 targets S100A4. VSMC survival is attenuated by miR-124 mimic but increased by miR-124 inhibitor. miR-124 decreases immediately after carotid arterial injury but dramatically increases at days 7 and 14. miR-124 inhibitor-induced cell proliferation is blocked by S100A4 siRNA, whereas miR-124-induced cell death is recovered by S100A4. Our findings suggest that miR-124 is a novel regulator of VSMC proliferation and may play a role in the development of neointimal proliferation.</P>

Synergistic antibacterial effect of curcumin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Mun, S.H.,Joung, D.K.,Kim, Y.S.,Kang, O.H.,Kim, S.B.,Seo, Y.S.,Kim, Y.C.,Lee, D.S.,Shin, D.W.,Kweon, K.T.,Kwon, D.Y. G. Fischer 2013 Phytomedicine Vol.20 No.8

<P>Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are spread among infected patients, with infection rates increasing at an alarming rate. Furthermore, increased resistance to antibiotics has resulted in serious challenges in the treatment of infectious diseases worldwide. Under the selection pressure of exposure to antibiotics, microorganisms evolve to survive against the new conditions imposed by therapy. Therefore, there exists a need to develop alternative natural or combination drug therapies. Curcumin (CCM), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from the rhizome of a plant, Curcuma longa Linne., has been found to possess many beneficial biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of curcumin and antibiotics as well as to determine the antibacterial activity of CCM against specific MRSA strains. The antibacterial activity of CCM was assessed by the broth microdilution method (by calculating the minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC]), checkerboard dilution test, and time-kill assay. Antimicrobial activity of CCM was observed against all tested strains. The MICs of CCM against 10 strains of S. aureus ranged from 125 to 250 mu g/ml. In the checkerboard test, CCM markedly reduced the MICs of the antibiotics oxacillin (OXI), ampicillin (AMP), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and norfloxacin (NOR) used against MRSA. The time-kill curves showed that a combined CCM and OXI treatment reduced the bacterial counts below the lowest detectable limit after 24 h. This study suggested that CCM reduced the MICs of several antibiotics tested, notably of OXI, AMP, CIP, and NOR, and that CCM in combination with antibiotics could lead to the development of new combination of antibiotics against MRSA infection. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier GmbH.</P>

Modeling and simulation of HTS cables for scattering parameter analysis

Bang, S.S.,Lee, G.S.,Kwon, G.Y.,Lee, Y.H.,Chang, S.J.,Lee, C.K.,Sohn, S.,Park, K.,Shin, Y.J. North-Holland 2016 Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol.530 No.-

<P>Most of modeling and simulation of high temperature superconducting (HTS) cables are inadequate for high frequency analysis since focus of the simulation's frequency is fundamental frequency of the power grid, which does not reflect transient characteristic. However, high frequency analysis is essential process to research the HTS cables transient for protection and diagnosis of the HTS cables. Thus, this paper proposes a new approach for modeling and simulation of HTS cables to derive the scattering parameter (S-parameter), an effective high frequency analysis, for transient wave propagation characteristics in high frequency range. The parameters sweeping method is used to validate the simulation results to the measured data given by a network analyzer (NA). This paper also presents the effects of the cable-to-NA connector in order to minimize the error between the simulated and the measured data under ambient and superconductive conditions. Based on the proposed modeling and simulation technique, S-parameters of long-distance HTS cables can be accurately derived in wide range of frequency. The results of proposed modeling and simulation can yield the characteristics of the HTS cables and will contribute to analyze the HTS cables. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</P>

이종 마찰용접 강봉재의 기계적 특성(2. PWHT)

권상우(S. W. Kwon),정원택(W. T. Jeong),공유식(Y. S. Kong),김영식(Y. S. Kim),김선진(S. J. Kim) 한국동력기계공학회 2004 한국동력기계공학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.- No.-

Dissimilar friction welding were produced using 15㎜ diameter solid bar in chrome molybedenum steel(KS SCM440) to carbon steel(KS S45C) to investigate their mechanical properties. The main friction welding parameters were selected to endure good quality welds on the basis of visual examination, tensile tests, Virkers hardness surveys of the bond of area and HAZ and macrostructure investigations. The specimens were tested as-welded and post-weld heat-treated. The tensile strength of the friction welded steel bars was increased up to 100% of the S45C base metal under the condition of all heating time. Optimal welding conditions were n=2,000(rpm), P₁=60(MPa), P₂=100(MPa), t₁=4(s), t₂=5(s) when the total upset length is 5.4(㎜).