Increased productivity of the baculovirus expression vector system by combining enhancing factors

Lee, Ji-Hoon,Gwak, Won-Seok,Bae, Sung-Min,Choi, Jae-Bang,Han, Beom-Ku,Woo, Soo-Dong 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol. No.

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The baculovirus expression vector system uses the polyhedrin promoter for the expression of foreign proteins. To increase the polyhedrin promoter activity, vectors were constructed by combining two transcription enhancers and the vp39 promoter. The transcription enhancers included homologous region 5 (hr5) and burst sequences (BSs). Seven vectors were constructed using combinations of these transcription enhancers, and their expression levels were compared in <I>Autographa californica</I> multicapsid nuclepolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) and <I>Bombyx mori</I> NPV (BmNPV) using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Our results indicate that most of the constructs increased the expression level of EGFP using the polyhedrin promoter. In particular, the vp39 promoter and BSs were the most effective in BmNPV and AcMNPV, respectively. Synergistic effects of the enhancing factors were observed only in AcMNPV by the vp39 promoter and BSs. The hr5 negatively affected the expression level of EGFP using the polyhedrin promoter and other enhancers in both viruses. The enhancing effect obtained by combining the three factors was higher in BmNPV than in AcMNPV. This was the first study to perform a comparative evaluation of enhancing factors that affect the expression efficiency of foreign protein using the polyhedrin promoter in both AcMNPV and BmNPV.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Burst sequence (BS) repeats and vp39 promoter were most effective in BEVS. </LI> <LI> The hr5 negatively affected the expression levels of the polyhedrin promoter. </LI> <LI> Synergistic effect was observed only in AcMNPV by the vp39 promoter and BSs. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) based on tropomyosin

Lee In-Yong,Jeong Kyoung-Yong,Kim Joo-Hwan,Lee Won-Ja,Lee Won-Ku 한국응용곤충학회 2002 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2002 No.1

Medicinal Chemistry : Ginsenosides Inhibit HMGB1-induced Inflammatory Responses in HUVECs and in Murine Polymicrobial Sepsis

( Won Hwa Lee ),( Sae Kwang Ku ),( Tae Cheon Jeong ),( Sang Kyu Lee ),( Jong Sup Bae ) 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 2015 영남대학교 약품개발연구소 연구업적집 Vol.25 No.-

Asian ginseng is used as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases, ischemia, and cancers. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein acts as a late mediator of severe vascular inflammatory conditions. However, the effect of ginsenosides from Asian ginseng on HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses has not been studied. We addressed this question by monitoring the effects of ginsenoside treatmenet on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1, and HMGB1-mediated regulation of proinflammatory responses. Ginsenoside treatment suppressed LPS-mediated relaease of HMGB1 and HMGB1-mediated cytoskeletal rearrangement. Ginsenosides also inhibited HMGB1-mendiated inflammatory responses. In addition, ginsenosides inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) and activation of protein kinase B (Akt), nuclear factor-kB(NF-kB), and extracellular-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 by HMGB1. Ginsenosides also decreased CLP-induced release of HMGB1, production of interleukin (IL) 1β/6, and mortality. These results suggested that ginsenosides may be potential therapeutic agents for treatment of vascular inflammatory diseases through inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling patheway.

Establishment of Patient-Derived Pancreatic Cancer Organoids from Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsies

Lee Jee Hyung,Kim Haeryoung,이상협,Ku Ja-Lok,Chun Jung Won,Seo Ha Young,Kim Soon Chan,Paik Woo Hyun,Ryu Ji Kon,Lee Sang Kook,Lowy Andrew M.,Kim Yong-Tae 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2022 Gut and Liver Vol.16 No.4

Background/Aims: Three-dimensional cultures of human pancreatic cancer tissue also known as “organoids” have largely been developed from surgical specimens. Given that most patients present with locally advanced and/or metastatic disease, such organoids are not representative of the majority of patients. Therefore, we used endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) to collect pancreatic cancer tissues from patients with advanced pancreatic cancer to create organoids, and evaluated their utility in pancreatic cancer research. Methods: Single-pass EUS-FNA samplings were employed to obtain the tissue for organoid generation. After establishment of the organoid, we compared the core biopsy tissues with organoids using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and performed whole exome sequencing (WES) to detect mutational variants. Furthermore, we compared patient outcome with the organoid drug response to determine the potential utility of the clinical application of such organoid-based assays. Results: Organoids were successfully generated in 14 of 20 tumors (70%) and were able to be passaged greater than 5 times in 12 of 20 tumors (60%). Among them, we selected eight pairs of organoid and core biopsy tissues for detailed analyses. They showed similar patterns in hematoxylin and eosin staining. WES revealed mutations in KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, BRCA1, and BRCA2 which were 93% homologous, and the mean nonreference discordance rate was 5.47%. We observed moderate drug response correlations between the organoids and clinical outcomes in patients who underwent FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. Conclusions: The established organoids from EUS-FNA core biopsies can be used for a suitable model system for pancreatic cancer research.

Cobalt-Phosphate Catalysts with Reduced Bivalent Co-Ion States and Doped Nitrogen Atoms Playing as Active Sites for Facile Adsorption, Fast Charge Transfer, and Robust Stability in Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation

Lee, Heebin,Kim, Keon-Han,Choi, Won Ho,Moon, Byeong Cheul,Kong, Hyung Jun,Kang, Jeung Ku American Chemical Society 2019 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.11 No.47

<P>A cobalt-phosphate (Co-Pi) catalyst having octahedral CoO<SUB>6</SUB> molecular units as reaction sites is a key component in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water oxidation systems, but its limited adsorption sites for oxygen-evolving intermediates (*OH, *OOH), slow charge transfer rates, and fast degradation of reaction sites are yet to be overcome. Here, we report that Co-Pi nanoparticles with low-coordinate Co ions and doped nitrogen atoms could be decorated on hematite nanorod arrays to form N-CoPi/hematite composites. Moreover, the local atomic configuration and bond distance studies show that trivalent Co<SUP>3+</SUP> states are partially reduced through nitrogen radicals in the plasma to low-coordinate bivalent Co<SUP>2+</SUP> states playing as the facile adsorption sites of oxygen-evolving intermediates due to the decreased activation barrier for water oxidation. Electron transport is also reinforced by nitrogen species due to the formation of hybridizing N 2p orbitals that give the acceptor levels in the bandgap. As a result, both the incident photon-to-electron conversion efficiency and the charge transfer resistance on N-CoPi/hematite outperform those on a bare hematite by about 3 fold. Furthermore, N-CoPi/hematite gives high activity retention over 90% after the long operation of water oxidation, in support of the reaction sites on N-CoPi not degrading during the successive water oxidation.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Bone Mineral Density in Prediabetic Men

Lee, Ju Hee,Lee, Yun Hyeong,Jung, Kyoung Hye,Kim, Min Kyeong,Jang, Hye Won,Kim, Tae Kyun,Kim, Hyun Jin,Jo, Young Suk,Shong, Minho,Lee, Tae Yong,Ku, Bon Jeong Korean Diabetes Association 2010 Korean diabetes journal Vol.34 No.5

<P><B>Background</B></P><P>There are many studies regarding the effects of insulin on bone metabolism and changes in bone mineral density (BMD) in the setting of diabetes. The effect of prediabetes on BMD is not known.</P><P><B>Methods</B></P><P>A total of 802 men participated in the Korea Rural Genomic Cohort Study (in Geumsan County). According to the results of an oral glucose tolerance test, subjects were classified into normal, prediabetic, and diabetic categories. One hundred twenty-four subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were excluded, leaving 678 subjects for the study inclusion. BMD was estimated with a quantitative ultrasonometer.</P><P><B>Results</B></P><P>The average BMD T scores of normal and prediabetic subjects were -1.34 ± 1.42 and -1.33 ± 1.30, respectively; there was no significant difference in the BMD T scores between these groups. The BMD T score was inversely associated with age and positively correlated with body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and HbA1c. On multiple linear regression analysis, low density lipoprotein cholesterol was the only statistically significant variable for prediabetes (β = 0.007, <I>P</I> = 0.005). On the stepwise regression analysis, age (β = -0.026, <I>P</I> < 0.001), the body mass index (β = 0.079, <I>P</I> < 0.001), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.004, <I>P</I> = 0.016) were significant variables for prediabetes.</P><P><B>Conclusions</B></P><P>There was no significant difference in the BMD T score between the normal and prediabetic subjects. Further studies are needed regarding the association of fracture risk and changes in BMD with the development of overt diabetes.</P>

A Case of Venous Hemangioma Occuring on The Interdigital Web

( Won Hur ),( Sung Ku Ahn ),( Seung Hun Lee ),( Won Hyoung Kang ) 대한피부과학회 1993 Annals of Dermatology Vol.5 No.2

Percutaneous bleomycin sclerotherapy: a useful therapeutic option for ganglionic cysts

( Won-ku Lee ),( Woo-il Kim ),( Min-young Yang ),( Hyun-chang Ko ),( Byung-soo Kim ),( Moon-bum Kim ),( Hoon-soo Kim ) 대한피부과학회 2019 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.71 No.2

Background: Ganglion cysts are mucin-filled cysts and commonly affect joint capsules or tendon sheaths of the distal extremities. Treatment options include aspiration, cryotherapy, sclerotherapy, and surgery, but have shown increased rates of recurrence and scarring. Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional bleomycin injection in treating ganglion cysts. Methods: We performed intralesional injection of bleomycin in 15 patients with 17 ganglion cysts. At each session, 1% bleomycin of 0.5 to 2 mL was injected into a lesion after extracting gelatinous material of similar amount. The procedure was repeated every 2 months if the cyst persisted. Changes in lesions and adverse reactions were recorded, and therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. Results: Of the 17 lesions treated with bleomycin injection, 80% responded. No serious complications related to the joint or tendon were observed. Conclusion: Our patients showed good tolerance without major adverse effects. Bleomycin as an intralesional sclerosant for ganglion cyst is easily available, costeffective, cosmetically excellent, and more tolerable than surgery. This procedure can be performed easily by any dermatologist in the outpatient clinic. Therefore, we suggest that bleomycin sclerotherapy can be an effective and safe therapeutic option for ganglion cysts, and decreases the need for invasive surgery.

Usefulness of 18FDG positron emission tomography- computed tomography for detecting systemic inflammation in moderate to severe psoriasis

( Won Ku Lee ),( Kyoungjune Pak ),( Seong Jang Kim ),( Junhee Han ),( Jeong Min Kim ),( Gun Wook Kim ),( Margaret Song ),( Hoon Soo Kim ),( Hyun Chang Ko ),( Moon Bum Kim ),( Byung Soo Kim ) 대한피부과학회 2015 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.67 No.2

Background: There is increasing awareness that psoriasis is a systemic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease including skin and joint. Objectives: To detect and quantify systemic and vascular inflammation in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis using [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography- computed tomography (18FDG PET/CT). Furthermore, to investigate the relationship between PASI score and FDG uptake in the liver, spleen and aorta. Methods: Case series with a nested case-control study was done. Twenty seven patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and twenty five controls age and sex matched underwent 18FDG PET/CT. FDG uptakes in the liver, spleen and 5 segments of aorta were evaluated by calculating the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax). Results: 18FDG PET/CT of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis demonstrated increased FDG uptakes in the liver and spleen compared with the controls. There were increased FDG uptakes in the liver, spleen and all segments of aorta with psoriasis group of high PASI score compared to the group with low PASI score. Conclusion: This study shows that systemic inflammation is increased in psoriasis patients compared to the controls, and there is correlation between psoriasis severity and systemic and vascular inflammation. We also suggest that 18FDG PET/CT can be used to identify systemic and vascular inflammation in psoriasis patients.

Childhood longitudinal melanonychia due to nail matrix nevus: 3 cases with regression

( Won Ku Lee ),( Hyunju Jin ),( Hyang Suk You ),( Woo Haing Shim ),( Jeong Min Kim ),( Gun Wook Kim ),( Hoon Soo Kim ),( Hyun Chang Ko ),( Byung Soo Kim ),( Moon Bum Kim ) 대한피부과학회 2016 대한피부과학회 학술발표대회집 Vol.68 No.1

Though longitudinal melanonychia (LM) due to nail matrix nevus in infants and children is rare, most dermatologists might have difficulty in making decision whether it is due to benign nevus or ungual melanoma, and furthermore, whether nail matrix biopsy should be done or not. In these cases, the decision can be made based on clinical and dermoscopic findings, and biopsy or not was determined under the indications suggested by Cooper C. et al. However, many reported cases of LM in children, including all 3 cases of ours, have clinical and dermoscopic findings which were similar to ungual melanoma and are included in the biopsy indication. Because of the risks of anesthesia, procedural complications such as nail dystrophy, and postoperative management, nail matrix biopsy is not the procedure that can be easily considered. We fully agree with Koga H et al. that although clinical and dermoscopic findings of LM present as melanoma, active intervention such as nail matrix biopsy could be evaluated after puberty. However, the evidence supporting this opinion has not been sufficient yet, especially in Korea. We report 3 cases (one: 1-year-old boy, two: 5-year-old boy and girl) of LM in children that showed complete or partial fading during regular follow up for 8 to 29 months.