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>

Analysis of 22 Y chromosomal STR haplotypes and Y haplogroup distribution in Pathans of Pakistan

Lee, E.Y.,Shin, K.J.,Rakha, A.,Sim, J.E.,Park, M.J.,Kim, N.Y.,Yang, W.I.,Lee, H.Y. Elsevier Science 2014 FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL GENETICS Vol.11 No.-

We analyzed haplotypes for 22 Y chromosomal STRs (Y-STRs), including 17 Yfiler loci (DYS19, DYS385a/b, DYS389I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS437, DY438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635 and Y-GATA-H4) and five additional STRs (DYS388, DYS446, DYS447, DYS449 and DYS464), and Y chromosomal haplogroup distribution in 270 unrelated individuals from the Pathans residing in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan using in-house multiplex PCR systems. Each Y-STR showed diversities ranging from 0.2506 to 0.8538, and the discriminatory capacity (DC) was 73.7% with 199 observed haplotypes using 17 Yfiler loci. By the addition of 5 Y-STRs to the Yfiler system, the DC was increased to 85.2% while showing 230 observed haplotypes. Among the additional 5 Y-STRs, DYS446, DYS447 and DYS449 were major contributors to enhancing discrimination. In the analysis of molecular variance, the Pathans of this study showed significant differences from other Pathan populations as well as neighboring population sets. In Y-SNP analysis, a total of 12 Y chromosomal haplogroups were observed and the most frequent haplogroup was R1a1a with 49.3% frequency. To obtain insights on the origin of Pathans, the network analysis was performed for the haplogroups G and Q observed from the Pathans and the Jewish population groups including Ashkenazim and Sephardim, but little support for a Jewish origin could be found. In the present study, we report Y-STR population data in Pathans of Pakistan, and we emphasize the need for adding additional markers to the commonly used 17 Yfiler loci to achieve more improved discriminatory capacity in a population with low genetic diversity.

Effects of Y₂O₃ additions on the oxygen diffusion in top-seeded melt growth processed YBa₂Cu₃O_7-y superconductors

Jun, B.H.,Jung, S.A.,Park, S.D.,Park, B.J.,Han, Y.H.,Kim, C.J. North-Holland 2011 Physica. C, Superconductivity Vol.471 No.21

To understand the effect of Y<SUB>2</SUB>BaCuO<SUB>5</SUB> (Y211)/YBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>7-y</SUB> (Y123) interfaces on the oxygen diffusion in single grain YBa<SUB>2</SUB>Cu<SUB>3</SUB>O<SUB>7-y</SUB> superconductors, single grain Y123 superconductors with 0.05 and 0.3moles of Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> additions were fabricated by a top-seeded melt growth (TSMG) process. Y123 compacts with Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> additions were subjected to melt growth heating cycles with a cooling rate of 1<SUP>o</SUP>C/h through a peritectic temperature (1015<SUP>o</SUP>C) and then annealed at 450<SUP>o</SUP>C for 200h in flowing oxygen. The superconducting temperature (T<SUB>c</SUB>) and critical current density (J<SUB>c</SUB>) were estimated for the three different regions (top surface (s), intermediate (i) and center (c)) of samples. The amount of Y211/Y123 interface area in single grain Y123 superconductors was successfully controlled by Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> additions. The T<SUB>c</SUB> values of s regions were higher than those of i and c regions, which indicates the presence of more oxygen at the sample surfaces. In addition, the T<SUB>c</SUB> values of i and c regions of the Y123 sample with 0.3mole Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> addition were higher than those of the same regions of the Y123 sample with 0.05mole Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> addition due to the promoted oxygen diffusion through Y211/Y123 interfaces and other related defects. In spite of the promoted oxygen diffusion by Y<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB> addition, the large T<SUB>c</SUB> difference among the regions still existed, which suggests sluggish oxygen diffusion into single Y123 grains.

Novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 through targeting ASK1 to suppress TNF-induced JNK activation

Won, M,Park, K A,Byun, H S,Sohn, K-C,Kim, Y-R,Jeon, J,Hong, J H,Park, J,Seok, J H,Kim, J M,Yoon, W-H,Jang, I-S,Shen, H M,Liu, Z G,Hur, G M Macmillan Publishers Limited 2010 CELL DEATH AND DIFFERENTIATION Vol.17 No.12

The zinc-finger protein A20 has crucial physiological functions as a dual inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and apoptosis in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1 signaling pathway. Although the molecular basis for the anti-NF-κB function of A20 has been well elucidated, the anti-apoptotic function of A20 is largely unknown. Here, we report a novel mechanism underlying the anti-apoptotic function of A20: A20 blocks TNF-induced apoptosis through suppression of c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by targeting apoptosis signal-regulating kinase1 (ASK1). First, the ectopic expression of A20 drastically inhibits TNF-induced JNK activation and apoptosis in multiple cell types including those deficient of NF-κB activation. Unexpectedly, the blunting effect of A20 on TNF-induced JNK activation is not mediated by affecting the TNFR1 signaling complex formation. Instead, A20 interacts with ASK1, an important MAPKK kinase in the JNK signaling cascade. More importantly, overexpression of wild-type A20, but not of mutant A20 (ZnF4; C624A, C627A), promotes degradation of the ASK1 through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Taken together, the results from this study reveal a novel anti-apoptotic mechanism of A20 in TNF signaling pathway: A20 binds to ASK1 and mediates ASK1 degradation, leading to suppression of JNK activation and eventually blockage of apoptosis.

국내서식 살모사 사독의 면역학적 특성분석 (2)

성원근,정경태,김현희,박재구,박영미아,오희복 국립보건연구원 1998 국립보건원보 Vol.35 No.-

The Intracisternal Administration of MEK Inhibitor Attenuates Mechanical and Cold Allodynia in a Rat Model of Compression of the Trigeminal Ganglion

Lee, Min K.,Yoon, Jeong H.,Park, Min K.,Yang, Gwi Y.,Won, Kyung A.,Park, Yoon-Yub,Ahn, Dong K. The Korean Academy of Oral Biology 2010 International Journal of Oral Biology Vol.35 No.3

The present study investigated the role of ERK in the onset of mechanical and cold allodynia in a rat model of compression of the trigeminal ganglion by examining changes in the air-puff thresholds and number of scratches following the intracisternal injection of PD98059, a MEK inhibitor. Male Sprague Dawley rats weighing between 250 and 260 g were used. Under anesthesia, the rats were mounted onto a stereotaxic frame and received 4% agar (10 μl) solution to compress the trigeminal ganglion. In the control group, the animals were given a sham operation without the application of agar. Changes in behavior were examined at 3 days before and at 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 30, and 40 days after surgery. Compression of the trigeminal ganglion significantly decreased the air-puff thresholds. Mechanical allodynia was established within 3 days and persisted over postoperative day 24. To evaluate cold allodynia, nociceptive scratching behavior was monitored after acetone application on the vibrissa pad of the rats. Compression of the trigeminal ganglion was found to produce significant cold allodynia, which persisted for more than 40 days after surgery. On postoperative day 14, the intracisternal administration of 1 μg or 10 μg of PD98059 in the rat model significantly decreased the air-puff thresholds on both the ipsilateral and contralateral side. The intracisternal administration of 10 μg of PD98059 also significantly alleviated the cold allodynia, compared with the vehicle-treated group. These results suggest that central ERK plays an important role in the development of mechanical and cold allodynia in rats with compression of the trigeminal ganglion and that a targeted blockade of this pathway is a potential future treatment strategy for trigeminal neuralgia-like nociception.

Projection of future climate change impacts on nonpoint source pollution loads for a forest dominant dam watershed by reflecting future vegetation canopy in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool model

Park, Min J.,Park, Jong Y.,Shin, Hyung J.,Lee, Mi S.,Park, Geun A.,Jung, In K.,Kim, Seong J. IWA Publishing 2010 Water Science & Technology Vol.61 No.8

<P>This study is to assess the future impact of climate change on hydrological behavior considering future vegetation canopy prediction and its propagation to nonpoint source pollution (NPS) loads. The SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) model was used for the assessment. For a forest dominant ChungjuDam watershed of South Korea, the MIROC3.2hires climate data of SRES A1B and B1 scenarios were adopted and downscaled for the watershed. The future vegetation canopy information was projected by the monthly relationship between Terra MODIS (MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) LAI (Leaf Area Index) and temperature. The future predicted LAI increased up to 1.9 in 2080s April and October because of the temperature increase 3.6°C and 5.3°C respectively. By reflecting the future LAI changes, the future estimated percent changes of maximum annual dam inflow, SS, T-N, and T-P were + 42.5% in 2080s A1B,−35.6% in 2020s A1B,+73.7% in 2080s A1B and−21.0% in 2080s B1 scenario respectively. The increase of T-N load was from the increase of subsurface lateral flows and the groundwater recharges by the future rainfall increase. The decrease of T-P load was by decrease of sediment load during wet days because the effect of LAI increase is greater than the increase of rainfall.</P>

High performance a-InZnSnO thin-film transistor with a self-diffusion-barrier formable copper contact

Lee, S.H.,Oh, D.J.,Hwang, A.Y.,Park, J.W.,Jeong, J.K. Elsevier Sequoia 2017 THIN SOLID FILMS - Vol.637 No.-

A low resistivity copper (Cu) film was used as a source/drain contact layer to fabricate high performance amorphous In-Zn-Sn-O (a-IZTO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). The calcium (Ca)-doped Cu films greatly simplified the conventional Cu/diffusion barrier stack structure and process, which allowed the production of promising a-IZTO TFTs with a saturation mobility of 22.8cm<SUP>2</SUP>/Vs and an I<SUB>ON/OFF</SUB> ratio of 10<SUP>8</SUP>. Furthermore, the a-IZTO TFTs with the Ca-doped Cu contact exhibited better gate bias thermal stress-induced stabilities than those with the pure Cu contact. This was attributed to the effective formation of a self-diffusion CuO<SUB>x</SUB> barrier at the Cu/IZTO interfaces.

Effect of dietary soy intake on breast cancer risk according to menopause and hormone receptor status

Kim, YA Cho;Park, K-S;Lim, S-Y;Shin, A;Sung, M-K;Ro, J Sookmyung Women's University Research Institute of 2011 여성과 건강 Vol.6 No.2

Background: Although high soy consumption may be associated with lower breast cancer risk in Asian populations, findings from epidemiological studies have been inconsistent. Objective: We investigated the effects of soy intake on breast cancer risk among Korean women according to their menopausal and hormone receptor status. Methods: We conducted a case-control study with 358 incident breast cancer patients and 360 age-matched controls with no history of malignant neoplasm. Dietary consumption of soy products was examined using a 103-item food frequency questionnaire. Results: The estimated mean intakes of total soy and isoflavones from this study population were 76.5 g per day and 15.0 mg per day, respectively. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, we found a significant inverse association between soy intake and breast cancer risk, with a dose-response relationship (odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval (Cl)) for the highest vs the lowest intake quartile: 0.36 (0.20-0.64)). When the data were stratified by menopausal status, the protective effect was observed only among postmenopausal women (OR (95% Cl) for the highest vs the lowest intake quartile: 0.08 (0.03-0.22)). The association between soy and breast cancer risk did not differ according to estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) status, but the estimated intake of soy isoflavones showed an inverse association only among postmenopausal women with ER + /PR+ tumors. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that high consumption of soy might be related to lower risk of breast cancer and that the effect of soy intake could vary depending on several factors.

유전자 재조합 탄저 성분백신 개발 연구(Ⅱ)

박영미아,성원근,한지선,정유연,오희복 국립보건연구원 2000 국립보건원보 Vol.37 No.-