Stroke in a Young Age COVID-19 Patient: Vasculitis Feature and Changes in Cerebral Vessel Stenosis

Recent studies have shown that coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection increased risk of stroke. Significant differences have been identified between the general population and COVID-19 stroke patients. There are unusual patterns of stroke occurred in COVID-19 patient are reported. Pathophysiologic theories about the relationship of COVID-19 infection and stroke are being published. Herein we report a rare case of stroke in a young COVID-19 patient, considered to be the result of vasculitis, and vessel changes that might have been caused by vasospasm based on serial brain imaging follow-up data. And we interpret this case based on pathophysiological characteristics of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

An Acute Metabolic Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis and Stroke-like Episodes Syndrome Patients with Hyperperfusion Responsive to Steroid Treatment

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutation in mitochondrial DNA. Patients with stroke-like episodes show restrictive lesions in diffusion weighted image, whereas magnetic resonance angiography images show both vasodilation or vasoconstriction. Vasodilation may lead to hyperperfusion and cerebral edema, which may worsen clinical outcome. Here, we report a 25-year-old male patient diagnosed as MELAS, who presented with stroke-like episodes and seizures and showed cerebral edema with vasodilation which was normalized after steroid treatment.

Lung Microbiome Analysis in Steroid-Naїve Asthma Patients by Using Whole Sputum / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Although recent metagenomic approaches have characterized the distinguished microbial compositions in airways of asthmatics, these results did not reach a consensus due to the small sample size, non-standardization of specimens and medication status. We conducted a metagenomics approach by using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of the induced whole sputum representing both the cellular and fluid phases in a relative large number of steroid naïve asthmatics. METHODS: Induced whole sputum samples obtained from 36 healthy subjects and 89 steroid-naїve asthma patients were analyzed through T-RFLP analysis. RESULTS: In contrast to previous reports about microbiota in the asthmatic airways, the diversity of microbial composition was not significantly different between the controls and asthma patients (p=0.937). In an analysis of similarities, the global R-value showed a statistically significant difference but a very low separation (0.148, p=0.002). The dissimilarity in the bacterial communities between groups was 28.74%, and operational taxonomic units (OTUs) contributing to this difference were as follows: OTU 789 (Lachnospiraceae), 517 (Comamonadaceae, Acetobacteraceae , and Chloroplast), 633 (Prevotella), 645 (Actinobacteria and Propionibacterium acnes), 607 (Lactobacillus buchneri, Lactobacillus otakiensis, Lactobacillus sunkii, and Rhodobacteraceae), and 661 (Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and Leptotrichiaceae), and they were significantly more prevalent in the sputum of asthma patients than in the sputum of the controls. CONCLUSION: Before starting anti-asthmatic treatment, the microbiota in the whole sputum of patients with asthma showed a marginal difference from the microbiota in the whole sputum of the controls.

Equol Production and Increased Leukocyte Mitochondrial DNA in Postmenopausal Women

BACKGROUND: Equol, a metabolite of diadzein, is produced by some intestinal bacteria. Equol acts as an estrogen receptor agonist and has been reported to have several beneficial health effects. Leukocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases. Decreased leukocyte mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, as an index of mitochondrial function, is associated with metabolic syndrome, bone mineral density, and aging. The possible association between equol production and leukocyte mitochondrial function has not been studied to date. Therefore, we investigated whether equol production is associated with leukocyte mtDNA copy number in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included 71 postmenopausal women. They completed a lifestyle questionnaire and medical history. In addition, a dietary assessment using a 24-hour recall method and food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric evaluation, and blood sampling were conducted. Serum equol concentration was measured in the fasting state. Leukocyte mtDNA copy number was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among older females, 33.8% were equol producers. The leukocyte mtDNA copy number was lower in non-equol producers versus equol producers. Furthermore, the leukocyte mtDNA copy number was positively associated with the serum equol concentration (r=0.42, P<0.01). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that equol production (beta=47.864, P<0.01) was an independent factor associated with mtDNA copy number. CONCLUSIONS: Equol production was associated with elevated mtDNA content in the peripheral blood of postmenopausal women. This finding suggests that the beneficial health effects of equol in postmenopausal women may be related to increased mitochondrial function.

HLA-DRB1 Study of DNA from Ancient Human Skeleton by Sequence-based Typing / 체질인류학회지

The analysis of ancient human DNA is increasingly used recently in the study of anthropology and human evolution. Although mitochondrial DNA and Y chromosomal DNA has commonly been the target in the field of human DNA study, HLA analysis of ancient human DNA is extremely rare. This study aimed to develop the PCR method of ancient human DNA for analyzing the sequence of HLA. Authors established a new method for HLA-DRB1 analysis by sequence-based typing. Alleles of HLA-DRB1 were analyzed and typed by sequencing with DNA of ancient human skeletons from Korea and Mongolia 3000-500 years ago. The types of HLA-DRB1 were determined by comparing the sequences with those of HLA database (http://www. ebi.ac.uk/Tools/blast2/nucleotide.html). The alleles of HLA-DRB1 of ancient human DNA from Korea and Mongolia were classified by types. The frequencies of HLA-DRB1 types of Mongolia were also presented according to the geography such as West, Central, East, and North. In summary, our method was successful in the analyzing the type of HLA-DRB1 from DNA of ancient human bones. Authors anticipate that many researchers could do their research in a better way to get the genetic information for the kinship analysis between individuals or communities from ancient human bones.

A Kinship Analysis of Ancient Human Bones and Teeth from Mongolia / 체질인류학회지

The kinship was analyzed genetically on the three 2000 year old ancient human bones and teeth excavated in Mongolia. The samples were processed in a clean room to prevent the contamination from modern human DNA. The DNA extraction and purification was done with ion-exchange column kit (Qiagen G-tip 20G, USA). The PCR was done with purified DNAs from ancient human bones for paternal Y-SNP haplogroup, maternal mtDNA haplogroup, and autosomal short tandem repeats (STR). Two samples belonged to the maternal D major haplogroup, which is one of the most frequent types in the present North East Asia. One of them, showing male genotype, belonged to the paternal C major haplogroup, which is also one of the most frequent types in the present North East Asia. The remaining one belonged to the paternal R major haplogroup, frequent in the present Europe, and the maternal U haplogroup, frequent in the present Europe and East Mediterranean. The repeated results were consistent in the autosomal STR PCR. The STR data were analyzed with DNA-VIEW program (http://www.dna-view.com), which showed no close kinship among the three ancient humans. Our method was successful in the analyzing kinship among ancient human bones, which has been possible in few restricted laboratories in the World. Authors anticipate that many researchers could do their research in a better way to get the genetic information from ancient human bones.

Establishment of PCR Reaction Condition for Highly Successful Ancient DNA PCR / 체질인류학회지

The ancient bone DNA analysis essentially requires PCR amplification of the targeting genes of study due to the limitation of the ancient bone sample and DNA amounts. In contrast to the fresh living human DNA, it is common to face failing in amplifying the poorly preserved ancient DNA after death. Therefore, the optimized PCR methods appropriate for ancient DNA are required. However, there is no report to date that a systemic investigation of enhanced PCR amplification methods suitable for ancient samples has been conducted Approximately 500~3,300-year-old Korean and Mongolian ancient bones that are resistant to PCR were selected and an extensive number of PCR conditions were systematically investigated for the comparison of PCR success rates. For the PCR analysis, a mitochondrial DNA fragment as a multicopy DNA and a M175 Y chromosome biallelic marker DNA fragment as a single copy DNA that is the marker of the prevalent Y haplogroup (haplogroup O) in Korea were targeted. The identity of the amplified products were confirmed by DNA sequencing. Through this study, we established the optimized PCR conditions for the highly successful amplification of ancient bone DNAs. This estabilished method allowed for the successful amplification of mitochondrial DNAs from all the ancient bone samples tested and the amplification by 50% success rates in the amplification of M175 Y chromosome biallelic marker DNA but with the highest success rates. These results demonstrate that the optimized PCR condition will be useful for the promising ancient DNA analysis in the fields of molecular genetic anthropological studies.

Comparison between Morphological Sex and Genotype Sex of Uzbekistan Ancient Bones Using Improved Amelogenin PCR Amplication Method / 체질인류학회지

Determination of male and female is important in anthropology, archeology and forensic science. This study was designed to compare genotype sex of improved amelogenin PCR amplication method with morphological sex of ancient human bones. Sixty human skulls which lived from the Bronze Age to twenties centuries and excavated in Uzbekistan were used in this study. Morphological sex was determined by Uzbekistan scientist, and genotype sex was determined by improved amelogenin PCR amplication developed in this study. Among 20 morphological males, 13 samples (65%) were genotypical male. Among 40 morphological females, 20 samples (50%) were genotypical male. In conclusion, morphological method might be inadequate for sex determination of ancient bones. The improved amelogenin PCR method will be useful in sex determination of ancient bones.

Sex of Ancient Mongolian Human Bones Using Biallelic Marker RPS4Y for Y haplogroup / 대한해부학회지

Many data from ancient human remains became useful by molecular approach for ancient human DNA. In anthropology, genetic sex is essential to understand marriage and burial patterns, differential mortality rates between sexes, and differential patterns by sex of disease, diet, status, and material possessions. This study was designed to determine genotype sex of 52 ancient human bones with well preserved skulls, and to compare with the orphological sex. Parts of femur and other bones were used as ancient bones excavated in Mongolia aged between bronze and Mongol period. Morphological sex was determined by Mongolian scientist, and genotype sex was determined by using biallelic marker RPS4Y for Y haplogroup. Of 52 genetic males, 10 samples were morphologically female. In conclusion, biallelic marker RPS4Y. PCR amplication method will be useful in sex determination of ancient bones.

Evaluation of repetitive sequence-based genomic fingerprinting for molecular classification and identification of vibrio species / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to compare the suitability of repetitive-PCR genomic fingerprinting procedures to investigate genetic relatedness of the genus Vibrio and its applicability for the molecular identification of Vibrio vulnificus. METHODS: Forty-eight Vibrio strains were included for this study. REP-, ERIC-, BOX- and SERE-PCR were compared with 13 members of the genus Vibrio. RESULTS: REP-, BOX- and SERE-PCR showed V. vulnificus strains could not be separated well from other Vibrio species. However, approximately 320 bp of highly discriminatory specific fragments was recovered from V. vulnificus strains by ERIC-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: ERIC-PCR could be used as rapid classification and identification methods of V. vulnificus from other members of the genus Vibrio.

Genetic Variation in the NSP4 Gene of Human Rotavirus Isolated in Seoul

The nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4) of rotavirus encoded by gene 10, plays an important role in rotavirus pathogenicity. In this study, NSP4 gene sequences of human rotaviruses circulating in Seoul, Korea between March 2004 and April 2005 were determined. The nucleotide sequence data indicated that the NSP4 genes of human rotavirus Korean isolates were 750 or 751 bases in length and encoded one open reading frame of 175 amino acids with two glycosylation sites. The NSP4 of Korean isolates exhibited amino acid sequence homologies between 59.4% and 98.9%. The NSP4 of CAU4 and CAU15 showed a high degree of amino acid sequence homologies with NSP4 genotype A viruses, but the NSP4 of CAU5, CAU6, CAU11, CAU14, CAU16 and CAU22 exhibited a high degree of amino acid sequence homologies with NSP4 genotype B viruses. Interestingly, CAU3 and CAU7 showed low degree of amino acid sequence homology with those of currently described NSP4 genotypes A to D and belonged a distinct lineage on the phylogenetic tree. These findings suggests that distinct NSP4 type was circulating among human rotavirus strains in the local community of Seoul and raising intriguing questions regarding possible explanations for new genotype.