Development of a highly sensitive and rapid detection method for Pea enation mosaic virus using loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay

The Pea enation mosaic virus (PEMV) has infected plants in the family Leguminosae such as pea, chickpea, faba bean, and lentil plants worldwide that the virus can be transmitted by sap, aphids, and seeds. Among the damages that PEMV disease cause in plants are reduced crop productivity, severely misshapen pods, wart-like outgrowths or proliferation on the surface. Previously, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), reverse transcription (RT)-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real-time PCR had been used to detect PEMV. However, these methods are time-consuming and require specific equipments. For this reason, the development of a highly specific and sensitive detection method has become necessary. In this study, a new method for PEMV-1 using the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has been developed with specific primer sets as inner- and outer primers. Results showed PEMV-1 has been successfully detected that LAMP could confirm a diluted PEMV-1 up to 10-6 cDNA. LAMP is about 10,000 times more sensitive than the RT-nested PCR and/or real-time PCR. Moreover, the processing time of the LAMP was decreased 3 h than RT-nested PCR. Although future validation will be required to confirm enablement in the field area, this study provides a valuable method to identify PEMV-1 that could offer some advantages including rapid detection, high specificity and high sensitivity than others.

Mucin gene polymorphisms are associated with endometriosis in Korean women

OBJECTIVE

Mucin family members mucin 1 (MUC1) and mucin 4 (MUC4) play an important role in transformation and adhesion, and are known markers for the detection of cancer. However, the pathophysiology of endometriosis associated with the mucin gene is unclear. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between MUC1 and MUC4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the risk for endometriosis.

METHODS

We performed a case-controlled study of 29 endometriosis clinical samples and 27 functional cysts as control. Sixteen SNPs (rs145224844, rs139620330, rs144273480, rs1611770, rs146141676, rs201798179, rs201815857, rs199840128, rs200788986, rs141460657, rs183700327, rs199768496, rs191544901, rs200639498, rs148332231, and rs11465209) of MUC1 gene and eight SNPs (rs1104760, rs1106502, rs882605, rs2291651, rs2291652, rs2291653, rs2291654, and rs375068067) of the MUC4 gene were identified. We amplified SNP sites by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primer sets followed by DNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The single mutation analysis of MUC4 showed that MUC4 mutations had no effect on the risk for endometriosis, but the frequencies of haplotypes [T/T + T/T + C/C] (rs2291653, 2291654 and rs375068067) were associated with endometriosis.

CONCLUSION

The MUC1 genotype may not be correlated with endometriosis susceptibility. However, MUC4 polymorphisms are associated with the risk for endometriosis in Korean women.

Characterization of Impaired Cerebrovascular Structure in APP/PS1 Mouse Brains

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined by senile plaques, tauopathy and neuronal cell death in specific area of the brain. Recent studies suggest that neurovascular dysfunction may be an integral part of AD pathogenesis, contributing to the onset and development of AD pathologies such as neuronal death, inflammatory response, and breakdown of blood-brain barrier (BBB). In addition, vascular complications caused by age-related metabolic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure have high incidence in development of dementia and AD. We previously reported that astrocytes, essential components of BBB, were chronically activated and some deteriorated in the brain of 5xFAD, an amyloid precursor protein/presenilin1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mouse model. Thus, it is rational to investigate if any vascular dysfunction is associated with considerable activation of astrocytes in APP/PS1 mouse model. In this study, we observed that cerebrovascular pathology was associated with large scale of reactive astrocytes and neurodegeneration in an Aβ plague-generating mouse model. Using 5xFAD mouse brains, we demonstrate damaged brain vessels and reduced expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), the main glucose transporter, and a tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. This vascular pathology was closely associated with astrocytic deterioration and neuronal loss due to buildup of Aβ plaques in 5xFAD mouse brains.

Calcium homeostasis modulator 1 gene P86L polymorphism and the risk for alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Recently, many epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between P86L polymorphism of calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) and risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the results of these association studies are inconsistent. In this study, we re-evaluated the relation between CALHM1 P86L polymorphism and risk for AD in a meta-analysis.

METHODS

This meta-analysis was performed using the PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar databases up to June 2015 using the search terms "CALHM1" and "polymorphism or SNP or variant" in combination with "Alzheimer's disease". A meta-analysis with pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals was carried out to assess the associations between P86L polymorphism and the risks for Alzheimer's disease under four genetic models with fixed or random effects models.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies (twenty-four subgroup studies involving 9795 cases and 15,335 controls) were included in our meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis results indicated that several genetic models of CALHM1 P86L polymorphism were significantly associated with increased risk for AD in overall and Caucasian populations.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our comprehensive meta-analysis indicated that P86L polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased risk for AD. Our data suggest that CALHM1 polymorphism may be potential biomarker in patients with AD.

Polymorphisms of small ubiquitin-related modifier genes are associated with risk of Alzheimer's disease in Korean: A case-control study

Sumoylation regulates transcription factor transactivation, protein-protein interactions, and appropriate subcellular localization of certain proteins. Previous studies have shown that sumoylation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is associated with decreased levels of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins, suggesting that sumoylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the association between polymorphisms of the SUMO genes and the risk of AD. Our study subjects consisted of 144 AD patients and 335 healthy controls without dementia. We focused on tagged single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNPs) of the SUMO1 and SUMO2 genes. The tagSNPs were amplified by PCR and sequenced. We used binary logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between SUMO gene polymorphisms and the risk of AD. We found that rs12472035 polymorphism of SUMO1 was significantly associated with an increased risk of AD in male group (the CT genotype of rs12472035: adjusted OR=8.737, 95% CI=2.041-37.41, p-value=0.003). In addition, two polymorphisms of SUMO2 were significantly associated with an increased risk of AD in female group (the GA genotype of rs35271045: adjusted OR=2.879, 95% CI=1.399-5.924, p-value=0.004; and the TC genotype of rs9913676: adjusted OR=2.460, 95% CI=1.197-5.057, p-value=0.014). Furthermore, three combinations were associated with an increased risk of AD. Our data suggest that three individual polymorphisms and three combinations may be potential risk factors for AD in Korean population.

Genetic polymorphisms of interleukin genes and the risk of Alzheimer's disease: An update meta-analysis

Objectives

Recently, several meta-analyses have reported an association between interleukin (IL) gene polymorphisms and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several further papers discussing the relationship with the risk of AD have recently been published. The aim of this meta-analysis was to re-evaluate and update the associations between IL gene polymorphisms and the risk of AD.

Methods

The search sources were PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to July 2015, and the following search terms were used: “interleukin 1 or interleukin 6 or interleukin 10” and “variant or polymorphism or SNP” in combination with “Alzheimer's disease”. A meta-analysis using the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals was carried out to assess the associations between four polymorphisms of IL genes (− 889C > T in IL-1α, − 511C > T in IL-1β, − 174G > C in IL-6 and − 1082G > A in IL-10) and the risk of AD under the heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, and recessive models with fixed- or random-effects models.

Results

A total of 21,864 cases and 40,321 controls from 93 individual studies were included in this meta-analysis. Our results indicated that the − 889C > T polymorphism was strongly associated with the increased risk of AD. However, three polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of AD.

Conclusions

Similar to previous meta-analyses, our updated meta-analysis suggested that the − 889C > T polymorphism may be a factor in AD. However, the results of our meta-analysis of the − 174G > C polymorphism differed from those of previous meta-analyses. Consequently, we suggest that the − 174G > C polymorphism may not be a risk factor for AD.

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889 C > T polymorphism of IL-1α was significantly associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease

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Three polymorphisms (− 511C > T in IL − 1β, − 174G > C in IL-6 and − 1082G > A in IL-10) were no associated with risk of Alzheimer's disease

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The results of our meta-analyses for three polymorphisms (− 889C > T, − 511C > T and − 1082G > A) were similar to those previous meta-analyses. However, the results of the − 174G > C polymorphism were different.

Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay to Rapidly Detect Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus in Quarantined Plants

We developed a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to rapidly diagnose Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) during quarantine inspections of imported wheat, corn, oats, and millet. The LAMP method was developed as a plant quarantine inspection method for the first time, and its simplicity, quickness, specificity and sensitivity were verified compared to current reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested PCR quarantine methods. We were able to quickly screen for WSMV at quarantine sites with many test samples; thus, this method is expected to contribute to plant quarantine inspections.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and the risk for female reproductive cancers: A meta-analysis

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and the risks for various breast and ovarian cancers have been reported in many epidemiological studies. However, the associations between VDR gene polymorphisms and the risk for each type of cancer are unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the associations between VDR gene polymorphisms and female reproductive cancers. A systematic review was performed with the PubMed Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to April 2014 using the search terms "vitamin D receptor or VDR" and "variant or polymorphism or SNP" with terms for breast, ovarian, cervical, endometrial, uterine, and vaginal cancers. A meta-analysis with the pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals was carried out to assess the associations between VDR polymorphisms (Cdx-2, FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI) and the risks for reproductive cancers under the heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, and recessive models with fixed or random effects models. Six ovarian cancer studies (13 individual studies involving 4107 cases and 6661 controls) and 29 breast cancer studies (38 individual studies involving 16,453 cases and 22,044 controls) were included in our meta-analysis. Our results indicate that the FokI polymorphism was related to increased risks for breast and ovarian cancers, whereas the BsmI polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk for developing these cancers. Our comprehensive meta-analysis indicated that the FokI and BsmI VDR gene polymorphisms may be significantly associated with gynecological cancers. We suggest monitoring VDR gene polymorphisms as potential biomarkers in patients with gynecological malignancy.

Biofunctionalized carbon nanotubes in neural regeneration: a mini-review

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have become an intriguing and promising biomaterial platform for the regeneration and functional recovery of damaged nerve tissues. The unique electrical, structural and mechanical properties, diversity of available surface chemistry and cell-penetrating ability of CNTs have made them useful implantable matrices or carriers for the delivery of therapeutic molecules. Although there are still challenges being faced in the clinical applications of CNTs mainly due to their toxicity, many studies to overcome this issue have been published. Modification of CNTs with chemical groups to ensure their dissolution in aqueous media is one possible solution. Functionalization of CNTs with biologically relevant and effective molecules (biofunctionalization) is also a promising strategy to provide better biocompatibility and selectivity for neural regeneration. Here, we review recent advances in the use of CNTs to promote neural regeneration.

Carbon nanotubes in nanocomposites and hybrids with hydroxyapatite for bone replacements

Hydroxyapatite (HA), as a bone mineral component, has been an attractive bioceramic for the reconstruction of hard tissues. However, its poor mechanical properties, including low fracture toughness and tensile strength, have been a significant challenge to the application of HA for the replacement of load-bearing and/or large bone defects. Among materials studied to reinforce HA, carbon nanotubes (CNTs: single-walled or multiwalled) have recently gained significant attention because of their unprecedented mechanical properties (high strength and toughness) and physicochemical properties (high surface area, electrical and thermal conductivity, and low weight). Here, we review recent studies of the organization of HA-CNTs at the nanoscale, with a particular emphasis on the functionalization of CNTs and their dispersion within an HA matrix and induction of HA mineralization. The organization of CNTs and HA implemented at the nanoscale can further be developed in the form of coatings, nanocomposites, and hybrid powders to enable potential applications in hard tissue reconstruction.

SLC11A1 gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the potential susceptibility to the solute carrier family 11 member 1 (SLC11A1) gene polymorphisms of Korean patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

Ninety-nine patients with BD and 98 controls were recruited. Analyses of three polymorphisms of the SLC11A1 gene [the 5'-promoter (GT)n, D543N and A318V] were performed, either by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography for D543N and A318V or by using automatic DNA sequencing for the (GT)n. The genotypes and alleles between patients with BD and the controls were compared using the chi2 test and Yate's correction test.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found in the distribution of genotypes and alleles of the (GT)n polymorphism between BD patients and the controls. However, subjects with the allele 3 or the genotype allele 3/allele 3 of this polymorphism had a significantly lower risk of developing BD than those without this allele or genotype [allele: p = 0.029, pc = 0.039, odds ratio (OR) = 0.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.95; genotype: p = 0.036, pc = 0.048, OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.96]. In addition, the distributions of genotypes and alleles of D543N were similar between BD patients and controls (p>0.05). In the case of A318V, all of the BD patients and controls had a wild-type genotype.

CONCLUSION

The allele 3 and the genotype allele 3/allele 3 of the 5'-promoter (GT)n in the SLC11A1 gene may have a protective effect for the development of BD in the Korean population. Further studies in other populations are required to confirm our results.

Relationship between salivary Chromogranin-A and stress induced by simulated monotonous driving

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the use of salivary Chromogranin-A (CgA), which is already used in general as a mental stress marker, for studying the stressful situation created by simulated monotonous driving. After informed consent, 25 healthy male and female subjects were studied under constant environment-controlled conditions. We measured the following physiological variables: blood pressure (BP), cardiac output, total peripheral resistance (TPR), normalized pulse volume (NPV) as an index of alpha-adrenergic sympathetic activity to the finger arteriolar vessels, levels of cortisol and CgA during monotonous driving. The induced stress led to the expected decreases in NPV and increases in TPR and BP caused by peripherally related sympathetic acceleration. However, CgA levels were found to fall gradually in accordance with the gradual increase of subjective rating of stress (SRS) and significantly (p < 0.01) decreased over the period of the simulated monotonous driving. Our hypothesis for the gradual decrease of CgA levels during the simulated monotonous driving is as follows. CgA, catestatin and catecholamines are co-released into the extra-cellular environment. Peripheral sympathetic activity was accelerated by stress resulting from the simulated monotonous driving. Upon peripheral vessel constriction, an increase in TPR then increased BP which, in turn, activated catestatin. Consequently, secretion of CgA was blocked by the co-secreted catestatin from chromaffin granules. The results obtained strongly indicate that, although CgA has been reported as a possible marker of stress, CgA levels are not increased in the stressful situation of simulated monotonous driving.

Interleukin-17F gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with Behçet's disease

IL-17 is a novel cytokine that is characterized by an ability to induce several types of cells to secrete proinflammatory cytokines in various inflammatory diseases. This study analyzed the influence of IL-17F gene polymorphisms on disease susceptibility and clinical features. Ninety-nine Behçet's disease (BD) patients and 114 controls were genotyped to analyze three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including A126G, G155A, and A161G of the IL-17F gene using automated sequencing. We compared the frequencies of IL-17F alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes in patients with BD and controls using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Significant differences in the frequencies of allele and genotype in A126G SNP of IL-17 gene were found between BD patients and controls (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). None of three IL-17F SNPs were associated with diverse clinical features in BD. The frequency of haplotype AA did not differ between patients with BD and controls (P=0.985). The haplotypes, AG, and GG, have positive and inverse association with BD susceptibility (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). These findings suggest that IL-17 gene SNPs may influence the susceptibility of BD.

A novel mutation in the SCN5A gene is associated with Brugada syndrome

Brugada syndrome (BS) is an inherited cardiac disorder associated with a high risk of sudden cardiac death and is caused by mutations in the SCN5A gene encoding the cardiac sodium channel alpha-subunit (Na(v)1.5). The aim of this study was to identify the genetic cause of familial BS and characterize the electrophysiological properties of a novel SCN5A mutation (W1191X). Four families and one patient with BS were screened for SCN5A mutations by PCR and direct sequencing. Wild-type (WT) and mutant Na(v)1.5 channels were expressed in tsA201 cells, and the sodium currents (I(Na)) were analyzed using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. A novel mutation, W1191X, was identified in a family with BS. Expression of the WT or the mutant channel (Na(v)1.5/W1191X) co-transfected with the beta(1)-subunit in tsA201 cells resulted in a loss of function of Na(v)1.5 channels. While voltage-clamp recordings of the WT channel showed a distinct acceleration of Na(v)1.5 activation and fast inactivation kinetics, the Na(v)1.5/W1191X mutant failed to generate any currents. Co-expression of the WT channel and the mutant channel resulted in a 50% reduction in I(Na). No effect on activation and inactivation were observed with this heterozygous expression. The W1191X mutation is associated with BS and resulted in the loss of function of the cardiac sodium channel.

Interleukin-18 gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

There is strong evidence that Th1-type cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease (BD). Interleukin (IL)-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates Th1-polarized immune responses, and elevated levels of IL-18 have been observed in the sera and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with active BD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations of two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -137 (G/C) and -607 (C/A) in the promoter region of the IL-18 gene with a susceptibility to BD in the Korean population.

METHODS

Ninety-eight patients with BD and 105 healthy controls were studied. All of the subjects were genotyped using sequence specific PCR. The genotypes and alleles between patients with BD and controls were compared using the chi2 test, together with Yate's correction where appropriate. Haplotype analysis was assessed using the EH program.

RESULTS

The genotype and allele distributions of the two SNPs did not differ significantly between patients with BD and controls. The haplotype frequencies of the IL-18 promoter polymorphisms were also similar between patients with BD and controls. However, the frequency of the GG genotype at position -137 was significantly higher in BD patients with ocular lesions than in those without ocular lesions (p = 0.026, pc = 0.048, OR = 4.1).

CONCLUSION

Although the IL-18 gene polymorphisms were not associated with a susceptibility to BD in the Korean population, the patients carrying the GG genotype at position -137 had a higher risk of developing the ocular lesions. Further studies in other populations are required to confirm these results.

Inhibitory effect of jaceosidin isolated from Artemisiaargyi on the function of E6 and E7 oncoproteins of HPV 16

Jaceosidin (4',5,7-trihydroxy-3',6-dimethoxyflavone) was isolated from Artemisia argyi as a putative oncogene inhibitor. Jaceosidin inhibited binding between oncoprotein E6 of the human papillomavirus and the p53 tumor suppressor protein. In addition, jaceosidin inhibited binding between the E7 oncoprotein and the Rb tumor suppressor protein, and also inhibited the function of HPV-16 harboring cervical cancer cells, including SiHa and CaSki. Collectively, jaceosidin inhibited the functions of the E6 and E7 oncoproteins of the human papillomavirus, suggesting that this compound might be used as a potential drug for the treatment of cervical cancers associated with the human papillomavirus.

Microinvasive video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis

BACKGROUND

Although video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for palmar hyperhidrosis is now widely accepted as the approach of choice, the optimal technique has remained a subject of controversy. We have used 2-mm dual port video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis. This study evaluates the short-term results of the technique.

METHODS

A retrospective review was carried out of 45 patients, 20 men and 25 women, with a mean age of 24.2 years. In the period from April 1998 to August 1999, 90 consecutive video-assisted sympathicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis either in isolation (n = 56) or in combination with axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis (n = 34) was performed. The mean follow-up period was 11.3 months. Attention was focused on patient's satisfaction, complications, and morbidity.

RESULTS

Dry limbs were immediately achieved in all patients after surgery. There was no operative mortality and one case of transient Horner's syndrome developed. Eight of 20 with plantar hyperhidrosis showed simultaneous improvement. The overall mean satisfaction rate was 92% +/- 2% with a median 93% improvement using a visual linear analogue scale from 0% (poor) to 100% (excellent). Only 2 patients were dissatisfied with the operative results owing to compensatory hyperhidrosis, which occurred in 25 patients and improved in 20 patients within the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathicotomy with 2-mm endoscope is a speedy and safe way of controlling hyperhidrosis with excellent cosmetic results while minimizing complications.

Detecting p53 gene mutation of breast cancer and defining differences between silver staining PCR-SSCP and immunohistochemical staining

This study detects and defines the patterns of p53 gene mutations in breast cancers. We analyse p53 gene mutations through comparing the results of single-strand-conformation-polymorphism (SSCP) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and we try to define the differences between the results of SSCP and IHC. Twenty-seven fresh primary breast cancer tissues and eight normal breast tissues were studied. The IHC was done with the usual streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complement method by using monoclonal antibody DO-7. The results of staining was scored. The SSCP method was done by using Cold SSCP Electrophoresis System. Overexpressions of p53 protein were seven (25.9%) among 27 cancer cases on IHC. Four (57.1%) of seven cases were positive in SSCP. In SSCP, the mutations were detected in 10 (37%) among 27 cancer cases. The mutations were two in exon 5, one in exon 8, and seven cases in exon 7. All of 10 mutations were proved by sequencing analysis. Of them, only four (40%) were positive in IHC. We consider the IHC as a screening method for p53 gene mutations.