<i>Rhodococcus aerolatus</i> sp. nov., isolated from subarctic rainwater

Hwang, C. Y.,Lee, I.,Cho, Y.,Lee, Y. M.,Baek, K.,Jung, Y.-J.,Yang, Y. Y.,Lee, T.,Rhee, T. S.,Lee, H. K. International Union of Microbiological Societies 2015 International journal of systematic and evolutiona Vol.65 No.2

<P>A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped and non-motile strain, designated PAMC 27367<SUP>T</SUP>, was isolated from rainwater collected on the Bering Sea. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of the strain showed an affiliation with the genus <I>Rhodococcus</I>. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that strain PAMC 27367<SUP>T</SUP> formed a robust clade with the type strains of <I>Rhodococcus rhodnii</I>, <I>Rhodococcus aetherivorans</I> and <I>Rhodococcus ruber</I> with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 96.3 %, 95.8 % and 95.5 %, respectively. Cells of the strain grew optimally at 25 °C and at pH 6.5–7.0 in the presence of 0–2 % (w/v) sea salts. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside and three unknown phospholipids. The major cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C<SUB>16 : 0</SUB>, C<SUB>17 : 1</SUB>ω8<I>c</I> and 10-methyl C<SUB>17 : 0</SUB>. Cell wall analysis showed that strain PAMC 27367<SUP>T</SUP> contained <I>meso</I>-diaminopimelic acid. The genomic DNA G+C content was 77.1 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic data presented here, we propose a novel species with the name <I>Rhodococcus</I> <I>aerolatus</I> sp. nov., with PAMC 27367<SUP>T</SUP> ( = KCTC 29240<SUP>T</SUP> = JCM 19485<SUP>T</SUP>) as the type strain.</P>

ApoA-I mutants V156K and R173C promote anti-inflammatory function and antioxidant activities

Cho, K. H.,Park, S. H.,Han, J. M.,Kim, H. C.,Choi, Y. K.,Choi, I. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2006 European journal of clinical investigation Vol.36 No.12

<P>Abstract</P><P>Background </P><P>Two mutants of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, V156K and A158E, showed markedly different structural and functional properties in lipid-free and lipid-bound states in the authors’ earlier report. The physiological activities of these mutants were compared with the wild-type (WT) and R173C mutant using <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> experiments.</P><P>Materials and methods </P><P>A reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL) with palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), combined with each of the apoA-I variants, was injected into the tail-veins of hypercholesterolaemic mice (C57BL6/J), which had been fed a high cholesterol and high fat (HCHF; 0·5% cholesterol, 15% lard, 0·1% sodium cholate) diet for 23 weeks, once at 0 h and then every 24 h, at a dosage of 30 mg apoA-I kg<SUP>−1</SUP> of body-weight.</P><P>Results </P><P>The V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL exhibited significantly stronger anti-oxidant activity against copper-mediated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation than did A158E in an apolipoprotein state. The mice injected with WT-rHDL or A158E-rHDL showed abrupt increases in total cholesterol concentrations (47% and 38%, respectively) as compared with the levels before injection, whereas the mice injected with V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL did not. Injection with V156K-rHDL improved serum lipids and anti-oxidative activities compared with the injection of WT-rHDL. Injection of WT-rHDL or A158E-rHDL increased serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) to 90–110 pg mL<SUP>−1</SUP>, whereas the injection of V156K-rHDL or R173C-rHDL increased serum IL-6 to 17–25 pg mL<SUP>−1</SUP> only.</P><P>Conclusion </P><P>The V156K-rHDL and R173C-rHDL displayed potent beneficial effects, including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from both <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> evaluations, whereas the WT-rHDL and A158E-rHDL did not.</P>

<i>CYP2A6</i> and <i>ERCC1</i> polymorphisms correlate with efficacy of S-1 plus cisplatin in metastatic gastric cancer patients

Park, S R,Kong, S-Y,Nam, B-H,Choi, I J,Kim, C G,Lee, J Y,Cho, S J,Kim, Y W,Ryu, K W,Lee, J H,Rhee, J,Park, Y-I,Kim, N K Nature Publishing Group 2011 The British journal of cancer Vol.104 No.7

<P><B>Background:</B></P><P>We evaluated the association between polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2A6 (<I>CYP2A6</I>)/excision repair cross-complementation group 1 (<I>ERCC1</I>)/X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1(<I>XRCC1</I>) and treatment outcomes of metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) patients treated with S-1/cisplatin.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>Among MGC patients (<I>n</I>=108), who received S-1 (40 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP> b.i.d., days 1–14) and cisplatin (60 mg m<SUP>−2</SUP>, day 1) every 3 weeks, we analysed the wild-type allele (<I>W</I>) and variants (<I>V</I>) of <I>CYP2A6</I> (<I>*4</I>, <I>*7, *9, *10</I>), and the polymorphisms of <I>ERCC1</I> (rs11615, rs3212986) and <I>XRCC1</I> (rs25487).</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>Patients having fewer <I>CYP2A6</I> variants had better response rates (<I>W</I>/<I>W vs W</I>/<I>V</I> other than <I>*1/*4 vs V</I>/<I>V</I> or <I>*1/*4</I>=66.7 <I>vs</I> 58.3 <I>vs</I> 32.3% <I>P</I>=0.008), time to progression (TTP) (7.2 <I>vs</I> 6.1 <I>vs</I> 3.5 months, <I>P</I>=0.021), and overall survival (23.2 <I>vs</I> 15.4 <I>vs</I> 12.0 months, <I>P</I>=0.004). <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> (rs3212986) was also associated with response rate (<I>C/C</I>, 46.7% <I>vs C/A</I>, 55.3% <I>vs A/A</I>, 87.5%) (<I>P</I>=0.048) and TTP (4.4 <I>vs</I> 7.6 <I>vs</I> 7.9 months) (<I>P</I>=0.012). Patients carrying both risk genotypes of <I>CYP2A6</I> (<I>V</I>/<I>V</I> or <I>1/*4</I>) and <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> (<I>C/C</I>) <I>vs</I> those carrying none showed an adjusted odds ratio of 0.113 (<I>P</I>=0.004) for response, and adjusted hazard ratios of 3.748 (<I>P</I>=0.0001) for TTP and 2.961 (<I>P</I>=0.006) for death.</P><P><B>Conclusion:</B></P><P>Polymorphisms of <I>CYP2A6</I> and <I>ERCC1 19442C</I>><I>A</I> correlated with the efficacy of S-1/cisplatin.</P>

Induction of bone formation by <i>Escherichia coli</i>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 using block‐type macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate in orthotopic and ectopic rat models

Park, J‐,C.,So, S‐,S.,Jung, I‐,H.,Yun, J‐,H.,Choi, S‐,H.,Cho, K‐,S.,Kim, C‐,S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of periodontal research Vol.46 No.6

<P><I>Park J‐C, So S‐S, Jung I‐H, Yun J‐H, Choi S‐H, Cho K‐S, Kim C‐S. Induction of bone formation by</I> Escherichia coli<I>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 using block‐type macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate in orthotopic and ectopic rat models. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 682–690. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S</I></P><P><B>Background and Objective: </B> The potential of the <I>Escherichia coli</I>‐expressed recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (ErhBMP‐2) to support new bone formation/maturation using a block‐type of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate (bMBCP) carrier was evaluated in an orthotopic and ectopic rat model.</P><P><B>Material and Methods: </B> Critical‐size (Φ 8 mm) calvarial defects and subcutaneous pockets in 32 Sprague–Dawley rats received implants of rhBMP‐2 (2.5 μg) in a bMBCP carrier or bMBCP alone (control). Implant sites were evaluated using histological and histometric analysis following 2‐ and 8‐wk healing intervals (eight animals/group/interval).</P><P><B>Results: </B> ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP supported significantly greater bone formation at 2 and 8 wk (10.8% and 25.4%, respectively) than the control at 2 and 8 wk (5.3% and 14.0%, respectively) in calvarial defects (<I>p</I> < 0.01). Bone formation was only observed for the ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP ectopic sites and was significantly greater at 8 wk (7.5%) than at 2 wk (4.5%) (<I>p</I> < 0.01). Appositional and endochondral bone formation was usually associated with a significant increase in fatty marrow at 8 wk. The bMBCP carrier showed no evidence of bioresorption.</P><P><B>Conclusion: </B> ErhBMP‐2/bMBCP induced significant bone formation in both calvarial and ectopic sites. Further study appears to be required to evaluate the relevance of the bMBCP carrier.</P>

Enhanced adipogenic differentiation and reduced collagen synthesis induced by human periodontal ligament stem cells might underlie the negative effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on periodontal regeneration

Song, D‐,S.,Park, J‐,C.,Jung, I‐,H.,Choi, S‐,H.,Cho, K‐,S.,Kim, C‐,K.,Kim, C‐,S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011 Journal of periodontal research Vol.46 No.2

<P> <I>Song D‐S, Park J‐C, Jung I‐H, Choi S‐H, Cho K‐S, Kim C‐K, Kim C‐S. Enhanced adipogenic differentiation and reduced collagen synthesis induced by human periodontal ligament stem cells might underlie the negative effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on periodontal regeneration. J Periodont Res 2011; 46: 193–203. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S</I> </P><P><B>Background and Objective: </B> Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) is a potent inducer for the regeneration of mineralized tissue, but has a limited effect on the regeneration of cementum and periodontal ligament (PDL). The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of rhBMP‐2 on the <I>in vitro</I> and <I>in vivo</I> biologic activity of well‐characterized human PDL stem cells (hPDLSCs) and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of minimal periodontal regeneration by rhBMP‐2.</P><P><B>Material and Methods: </B> hPDLSCs were isolated and cultured, and then transplanted into an ectopic subcutaneous mouse model using a carrier treated either with or without rhBMP‐2. Comprehensive histologic, histometric and immunohistochemical analyses were performed after an 8‐wk healing period. The effects of rhBMP‐2 on the adipogenic and osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs were also evaluated. The effect of rhBMP‐2 on both soluble and insoluble collagen synthesis was analyzed, and the expression of mRNA and protein for collagen types I, II, III and V was assessed.</P><P><B>Results: </B> In the present study, rhBMP‐2 promoted both adipogenic and osteogenic/cementogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs <I>in vitro</I>, and the <I>in vivo</I> potential of hPDLSCs to form mineralized cementum and organized PDL tissue was down‐regulated following treatment with rhBMP‐2. Collagen synthesis, which plays a crucial role in the regeneration of cementum and the periodontal attachment, was significantly reduced, with associated modification of the relevant mRNA and protein expression profiles.</P><P><B>Conclusion: </B> In summary, the findings of the present study suggest that enhanced adipogenic differentiation and inhibition of collagen synthesis by hPDLSCs appear to be partly responsible for the minimal effect of rhBMP‐2 on cementum and PDL tissue regeneration by hPDLSCs.</P>

Outbreak of Brucellosis in Domestic Elk in Korea

Her, M.,Cho, D.-H.,Kang, S.-I.,Lim, J.-S.,Kim, H.-J.,Cho, Y.-S.,Hwang, I.-Y.,Lee, T.,Jung, S.-C.,Yoo, H.-S. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH Vol.57 No.3

<P>Summary</P><P>Seven of 18 elk on a deer farm were found by the official Rose-Bengal agglutination test (RBT) and tube agglutination test to be brucellosis reactors/suspects. Evaluation with the competitive ELISA (C-ELISA) and the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) tests revealed that six and five sera were positive respectively. The seven reactors/ suspects were slaughtered and their blood and tissues were collected. <I>Brucella</I> species could be isolated from three of the slaughtered animals, with nine isolates being obtained from the popliteal, supramammary and submandibular lymph nodes, vaginal discharge, mammary tissue and spleen. <I>Brucella</I> genus-specific PCR based on 16S rRNA and AMOS-PCR, which is specific for differential <I>Brucella</I> species, revealed that all nine isolates were <I>Brucella abortus</I>. These nine were further confirmed to be <I>B. abortus</I> biovar 1 by classical biotyping scheme assays. This is the first report of an outbreak of brucellosis in domestic elk in Korea. Our observations suggest that deer should be included in the routine <I>Brucella</I> surveillance programme for the effective control and prevention of brucellosis in Korea.</P>

Mechanical properties of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl₃ cermet consolidated by the high-frequency induction-heating method

Kim, W.,Suh, C.Y.,Roh, K.M.,Cho, S.W.,Na, K.I.,Shon, I.J. Elsevier Sequoia 2013 Journal of alloys and compounds Vol.568 No.-

In the case of cemented (W,Ti)C, Co is added as a binder for the formation of composite structures. However, the high cost of Co and the low corrosion resistance of the (W,Ti)C-Co cermet have generated interest in recent years for alternative binder phases. In this study, NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was used as a binder and consolidated by the high-frequency induction heated sintering (HFIHS) method. The densification of both monolithic (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> cermet was accomplished within 3min. Highly dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> with a relative density of upto 99% were obtained within 3min by HFIHS under a pressure of 80MPa. The method was found to enable not only the rapid densification but also the prohibition of grain growth preserving the nano-scale microstructure. The average grain sizes of the sintered (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> were lower than 100nm. The addition of NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> to (W,Ti)C enhanced the toughness at the expense of the slight decrease in hardness. The hardness of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C-NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> was significantly higher than that of (W,Ti)C-Co or (W,Ti)C-Ni. The fracture toughness and hardness values of (W,Ti)C, (W,Ti)C-5vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB>, and (W,Ti)C-10vol.%NiAl<SUB>3</SUB> consolidated by HFIHS with a pressure of 80MPa and a induced current were 7.6+/-0.4MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2850+/-35kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 8.5+/-0.3MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2610+/-37kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, 9.7+/-0.5MPam<SUP>½</SUP> and 2520+/-26kg/mm<SUP>2</SUP>, respectively.

TmSR-C, scavenger receptor class C, plays a pivotal role in antifungal and antibacterial immunity in the coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor

Kim, S.G.,Jo, Y.H.,Seong, J.H.,Park, K.B.,Noh, M.Y.,Cho, J.H.,Ko, H.J.,Kim, C.E.,Tindwa, H.,Patnaik, B.B.,Bang, I.S.,Lee, Y.S.,Han, Y.S. Pergamon Press ; Elsevier Science Ltd 2017 Insect biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.89 No.-

Scavenger receptors (SRs) constitute a family of membrane-bound receptors that bind to multiple ligands. The SR family of proteins is involved in removing cellular debris, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, and pathogens. Specifically, class C scavenger receptors (SR-C) have also been reported to be involved in phagocytosis of gram-positive and -negative bacteria in Drosophila and viruses in shrimp. However, reports are unavailable regarding the role of SR-C in antifungal immune mechanisms in insects. In this study, a full-length Tenebrio molitor SR-C (TmSR-C) sequence was obtained by 5'- and 3'-Rapid amplification of cDNA ends-polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR). The TmSR-C full-length cDNA comprised 1671 bp with 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions of 23- and 107-bp, respectively. TmSR-C encodes a putative protein of 556 amino acid residues that is constitutively expressed in all tissues of late instar larvae and 2-day-old adults, with the highest transcript levels observed in hemocytes of larvae and adults. TmSR-C mRNA showed a 2.5-fold and 3-fold increase at 24 and 6 h after infection with Candida albicans and β-glucan, respectively. Immunoassay with TmSR-C polyclonal antibody showed induction of the putative protein in the cytosols of hemocytes at 3 h after inoculation of C. albicans. RNA interference (RNAi)-based gene silencing and phagocytosis assays were used to understand the role of TmSR-C in antifungal immunity. Silencing of TmSR-C transcripts reduced the survivability of late instar larvae at 2 days post-inoculation of C. albicans, Escherichia coli, or Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, in TmSR-C-silenced larvae, there was a decline in the rate of microorganism phagocytosis. Taken together, results of this study suggest that TmSR-C plays a pivotal role in phagocytosing not only fungi but also gram-negative and -positive bacteria in T. molitor.

Role of hepatitis B virus X repression of C/EBPbeta activity in the down-regulation of glutathione S-transferase A2 gene: implications in other phase II detoxifying enzyme expression.

Cho, I J,Ki, S H,Brooks, C,Kim, S G Taylor Francis 2009 Xenobiotica Vol.39 No.2

<P>1. A genome-wide in silico screening rendered the genes of phase II enzymes in the rat genome whose promoters contain the putative DNA elements interacting with CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) and NF-E2-related factor (Nrf2). The hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein strongly modulates the transactivation and/or the repression of genes regulated by some bZIP transcription factors. 2. This study investigated the effects of HBx on the induction of phase II enzymes with the aim of elucidating the role of HBx interaction with C/EBPbeta or Nrf2 bZIP transcription factors in hepatocyte-derived cells. 3. Immunoblot and reporter gene analyses revealed that transfection of HBx interfered with the constitutive and inducible GSTA2 transactivation promoted by oltipraz (C/EBPbeta activator), but not that by tert-butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ, Nrf2 activator). Moreover, HBx transfection completely inhibited GSTA2 reporter gene activity induced by C/EBPbeta, but failed to inhibit that by Nrf2. 4. Gel shift assays identified that HBx inhibited the increase in C/EBPbeta-DNA complex formation by oltipraz, but not the increase in Nrf2-DNA complex by t-BHQ. Immunoprecipitation and immunoblot assays verified the direct interaction between HBx and C/EBPbeta. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed HBx inhibition of C/EBPbeta binding to its binding site in the GSTA2 gene promoter. HBx repressed the induction of other phase II enzymes including GSTP, UDP-glucuronyltransferase 1A, microsomal epoxide hydrolase, GSTM1, GSTM2, and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthase. 5. These results demonstrate that HBx inhibits the induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes, which is mediated by its interaction with C/EBPbeta, but not Nrf2, substantiating the specific role of HBx in phase II detoxifying capacity.</P>

C language를 위한 Concurrent Programming 환경의 개발

윤용익(Y I Yoon),조주현(J H Cho),정영조(Y C Chung),강석열(S Y. Kang) 한국정보과학회 1988 한국정보과학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.15 No.1

Multiprocessor system이 널리 보급되고 사용됨에 따라 concurrent programming은 더욱 더 중요한 feature가 되어가고 있다. 기존의 C 언어는 concurrent programming을 위한 feature들을 가지고 있지 못하나, 본 논문에서는 concurrent processing이 가능한 Concurrent-C 언어를 설계, 구현하였다. Concurrent feature들을 첨가하는 방법으로는 여러 종류의 runtime library routine들을 제공하여 C program 내에서 이 routine들을 call하는 방식을 사용하였다. Concurrent-C는 UNIX 환경하에서 구현되었으며, 실제로 C compiler를 제공하는 어떠한 OS 상에서도 host machine의 종류에 관계없이 구현될 수 있다.