Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Bifidobacterium isolates from healthy adult Koreans

A total of twenty-two strict anaerobic and Gram-positive Bifidobacteria, identified as B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, or B. longum, were isolated from healthy adult Koreans. We here investigated the cell morphology, antimicrobial resistance patterns to novel antibiotics and genotypic differentiation of Bifidobacteria assessing repetitive DNA element PCR [rep-PCR] fingerprinting using the BOXA1R primer at the species level. All Bifidobacterium spp., except B. adolescentis SPM1005 and B. longum SPM1205, formed round and convex colonies. All B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, and B. longum were opaque white glossy in colony color, and short, long, and irregular rods in morphological shape. In addition, all B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, and B. longum formed a variety of shapes ranging from rods to Vshaped, Y-shaped, clubbed rods, or irregular. All Bifidobacterium spp., except B. adolescentis SPM0214, were sensitive to daptomycin [DAP], linezolid [LIN], and tigecycline [TIG]. B. adolescentis SPM0214 was resistant to DAP. Genomic fingerprinting patterns of B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, and B. longum were diverse and different from those of the KCTC strain. The band size of B. adolescentis, B. pseududocatenulatum, and B. longum varied from 3.0 kb to 300 bp, 2.0 kb to 200 bp, and 2.0 kb to 500 bp, respectively. In conclusion, twenty-two strains of B. adolescentis, B. pseudocatenulatum, and B. longum isolated from healthy adult Koreans were very diverse in both phenotype and genotype. Moreover, this diversity of phenotype and genotype may support that health promoting effects of individual strain of Bifidobacterium spp. human isolates could be different and specific even within same species

c-fos Immunoreactivity at the Auditory and Visual Cortex in Experimentally Induced Deafness in Guinea Pigs / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, functional studies for auditory cortex are being watched with interest in accordance with development of many radiologic equipments and surgical devices for sensorineural hearing loss. Moreover, it is well known that the function of central auditory pathway is essential for hearing rehabilitation. There are some papers that reported about the functional or metabolic changes of auditory cortex in deafness and in patients with cochlear implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate indirectly the metabolic changes of primary auditory cortex and visual cortex in the c-fos immunoreactivity in an experimentally induced permanent threshold shift animal model. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Ototoxic drugs (kanamycin and furosemide) and noise were used for the induction of permanent threshold shift. Cochlear damages were evaluated with auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and morphologic studies. The c-fos immunoreactivity was observed with a lapse of time after deafening. RESULTS: After the administration of ototoxic drugs and noise exposure, ABR threshold shifts were not recovered until after three months. Cochlear damages were observed in broad areas of cochlea. The c-fos immunoreactivity in the primary auditory cortex was increased during the acute period but it was decreased after one month. In addition, it was recovered again within the level of control three months later. In the visual cortex, increased and sustained immunoreactivities were observed after the drug and noise exposure. CONCLUSION: This result shows the plasticity of auditory cortex and possibility of some kinds of auditory-visual cross modal plasticity.

Association between an alul polymorphism in the calcitonin receptor gene and quantitative ultrasound parameters in Korean men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between an Alul RFLP of the calcitonin receptor [CTR] gene and quantitative ultrasound [QUS] parameters in Korean men, and the interaction with nutrition as a lifestyle factor. Broadband ultrasound attenuation, speed of sound and stiffness index of the calcaneus were measured using an ultrasound bone densitometer in 201 Korean men [mean age +/- SD: 51.6 +/- 11.7 years]. The PCR-RFLP method was used to analyze an Alul polymorphism in the CTR gene. In all subjects, the distribution of CC, CT and TT genotypes occurred with frequencies of 87.1, 12.4 and 0.5%, respectively. When stratified by omnivore and vegetarian groups, there was a significant association between an Alul polymorphism in the CTR gene and QUS parameters such as speed of sound and stiffness index in only vegetarian subjects. Our data suggest that the Alul polymorphism of the CTR gene can be useful as a genetic marker in the interindividual susceptibility of QUS parameters by the interaction with nutritional status as a lifestyle factor

Genetic variation in the renin-angiotensin system and response to endurance training

To investigate the relationship between genetic variation in the renin-angiotensin system and the effect of 12-week endurance training in Korean women. Seventeen women who participated in an endurance training program for 12 weeks were genotyped for the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism, angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C polymorphism, angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] T-3892C polymorphism, and angiotensin II type 2 receptor C3123A polymorphism. The following clinical parameters were measured before and after the endurance training program: blood pressure, body composition, ventilatory response, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose. Of the genetic markers investigated, the frequency of the T allele for the ACE T-3892C polymorphism was significantly associated with the response in body mass index and VO[2max] after 12 weeks of endurance training [p< 0.05]. None of the other polymorphisms were significantly associated with the effect of training. The significant association between ACE T-3892C and the change in body mass index and VO[2max] in Korean women are attributed to training, suggesting that this genetic variation is a useful genetic marker for clarifying the interindividual response to endurance training

The Distribution of I/D Polymorphism in the ACE Gene between Korean Young Controls and Athletes / 체질인류학회지

A number of genetic and environmental factors influence athletic performance. Cardiovascular fitness is an important factor of athletic success, and ACE gene is a good candidate for regulating cardiac and vascular function. Because younger subjects have less chance of being exposed to environmental factors than older ones, genetic factors have a relatively greater influence on younger subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene between Korean young controls and athletes. By association study, there were no significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between two groups, respectively (P> 0.05). When stratified by sporting disciplines, the significant difference in distribution was not also detected in our study (P> 0.05). These results do not support the hypothesis that the I/D polymorphism in the ACE gene is associated with endurance performance in Korean young subjects.

protein polymorphism of haptoglobin in Korean elite athletes

To investigate protein polymorphism of the haptoglobin [Hp] and the relationship between Hp phenotypes and anthropometric or biochemical parameters in elite Korean male athletes. Materials and Serum samples were collected from 120 Korean male elite athletes. The Hp phenotypes were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by peroxidase staining. Then anthropometric or biochemical measurements were made: body composition, blood pressures, ventilatory responses, cholesterol [total, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol], triglyceride, apolipoprotein A1, lipoprotein [a], creatine phosphokinase and lactate dehydrogenase. The gene frequencies of the Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp2-2 phenotypes in Korean male athletes were 12, 37 and 51%, respectively; this polymorphism was significantly associated with the VO2max index in the athletes. An excess of the Hp1 allele was also observed in marathon runners compared with the other sporting activities, although it did not have any statistical significance. Hp polymorphism exists in elite Korean male athletes and Hp phenotype may be a useful marker for endurance performance in these male athletes

A Case of Renovascular Hypertension

No abstract available.

A Case of Surviving infant born with fetus papyraceus

No abstract available.

Clinical and Statistical Studies on Pediatric Emergency Room Patients

No abstract available.

The Clinical Study of Congenital Syphilis in Low Birth Weight Infants

The clinical study was made on 52 cases who had treated for congenital syphilis at Chonnam University Medical School Hospital. Of these, 39 cases were admitted to Pediatric Department of C.U.M.S.H. from Jan. 1971 to Dec. 1978 via out patient dispensary and 13 cases were born in C.U.M.S.H. form Jan. 1974 to Dec. 1978. The results were summarized as followings; 1) 8% of the total low birth weight infants and 0.5% of the infants who weighed over 2,500gm at birth were diagnosed as congenital syphilis. 2) In sex distribution 36 were male and rest of them were female. 3) 70% among congenital syphilitic patients in low birth weight infants had prematurity. 4) The first clinical sympton appeared 89.4% within the fourth week after birth, 53.9% in the first week and 9.6% after the fourth week. 5) The most frequent clinical manifestation was hepatomegaly(79%), next in order of skin manifestaion(72%), anemia(60%), splenomegaly(48%), rhinitis and snuffle(48%). 6) In V.D.R.L. test, 96% of the patient, 98% of the mother and 72% of the father revealed reactive response. 7) Bony changes of roentgenographic examination were detected in 47 cases(90%). 8) 16 cases of congenital syphilitic patients in low birth weight infants(52 cases) and 8 cases of congenital syphilitic patiets who weighed over 2,500gm at birth were died and the most common cause of death in the patients of low birth weight infants was prematurity.