Vaccination is considered a frequently used tool to prevent and control foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). However, the effectiveness of conventional FMD virus (FMDV) vaccines in pigs has been controversial because the massive prophylactic vaccination could not elicit proper immune response nor prevent the broad spread of FMD outbreak, mainly in pig farms, in South Korea during outbreaks of 2014. In addition, there has been little information on the efficacy of inactivated, high potency, multivalent, oil-based FMDV vaccine in pigs, because an evaluation of FMDV vaccines had been mainly carried out using cattle. In this study, we evaluated the genetic identification of commercial inactivated FMDV vaccine and monitored the immune responses in pigs under the field condition. Results implied that it contained three different serotypes with a high level of antigen payload. However, serological results showed low mean percentage of inhibition, and positive rate reached its peak at 6-week post-vaccination, indicating current FMDV vaccine need to improve for a prophylactic vaccination policy in pigs. Therefore, there is an imperative need to develop FMDV vaccine that can provide rapid and long-lasting protective immunity in pigs.
Agriculture ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Cattle ; Disease Outbreaks ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus* ; Foot-and-Mouth Disease* ; Korea ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serogroup ; Swine* ; Vaccination ; Vaccines

The cannabinoid (CB2) receptor type 2 has been proposed to prevent the degeneration of dopamine neurons in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice. However, the mechanisms underlying CB2 receptor-mediated neuroprotection in MPTP mice have not been elucidated. The mechanisms underlying CB2 receptor-mediated neuroprotection of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) were evaluated in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD) by immunohistochemical staining (tyrosine hydroxylase, macrophage Ag complex-1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and CD3 and CD68), real-time PCR and a fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin assay. Treatment with the selective CB2 receptor agonist JWH-133 (10 μg kg⁻¹, intraperitoneal (i.p.)) prevented MPTP-induced degeneration of dopamine neurons in the SN and of their fibers in the striatum. This JWH-133-mediated neuroprotection was associated with the suppression of blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage, astroglial MPO expression, infiltration of peripheral immune cells and production of inducible nitric oxide synthase, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines by activated microglia. The effects of JWH-133 were mimicked by the non-selective cannabinoid receptor WIN55,212 (10 μg kg⁻¹, i.p.). The observed neuroprotection and inhibition of glial-mediated neurotoxic events were reversed upon treatment with the selective CB2 receptor antagonist AM630, confirming the involvement of the CB2 receptor. Our results suggest that targeting the cannabinoid system may be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as PD, that are associated with glial activation, BBB disruption and peripheral immune cell infiltration.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine* ; Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Chemokines ; Cytokines ; Dopamine* ; Dopaminergic Neurons* ; Fluorescein ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Microglia ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neuroprotection ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Parkinson Disease* ; Peroxidase ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2* ; Receptors, Cannabinoid ; Substantia Nigra

The effects of capsaicin (CAP), a transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) agonist, were determined on nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). The results showed that TRPV1 activation by CAP rescued nigrostriatal DA neurons, enhanced striatal DA functions and improved behavioral recovery in MPTP-treated mice. CAP neuroprotection was associated with reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) and reactive oxygen species/reactive nitrogen species from activated microglia-derived NADPH oxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase or reactive astrocyte-derived myeloidperoxidase. These beneficial effects of CAP were reversed by treatment with the TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine and iodo-resiniferatoxin, indicating TRPV1 involvement. This study demonstrates that TRPV1 activation by CAP protects nigrostriatal DA neurons via inhibition of glial activation-mediated oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in the MPTP mouse model of PD. These results suggest that CAP and its analogs may be beneficial therapeutic agents for the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative disorders that are associated with neuroinflammation and glial activation-derived oxidative damage.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine* ; Animals ; Capsaicin* ; Cytokines ; Dopamine* ; Dopaminergic Neurons* ; Mice ; NADPH Oxidase ; Necrosis ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Neurons ; Neuroprotection ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Nitrogen ; Oxidative Stress* ; Oxygen ; Parkinson Disease*

Several buellioid specimens were collected from South Korea during field surveys and two new species are described based on morphology, chemistry, and molecular phylogeny. Buellia boseongensis sp. nov. is similar to B. polyspora but differs in having a UV + orange thallus and cryptolecanorine apothecia. Sculptolumina coreana sp. nov., resembles S. japonica, but differs in having a smooth entire continuous thallus, which reacts K–, a narrower excipulum, thicker epihymenium, narrower subhymenium, and in containing secondary metabolites other than flavo-obscurin and myeloconone. A key to the buellioid lichens reported from Korea is also presented.
Chemistry ; Korea ; Lichens ; Phylogeny

Benign and malignant papillary neoplasms of the breast may be difficult to distinguish in both cytologic and histologic preparations. To define the cytologic features of benign and malignant papillary lesions, we retrospectively reviewed 18 cases of fine needle aspirates from histologically confirmed cases of papilloma or papillary carcinoma of the breast. This study included 3 intraductal papillary carci nomas, 3 invasive papillary carcinomas, and 12 intraductal papillomas. All cases were evaluated for presence or absence of papillary fragments, bloody background, apocrine metaplasia, macrophages, and degree of cellularity, atypia, and single isolated columnar epithelial cells. Papillary fragments were present in all cases. The background of the smear was bloody in all 6 carcinomas, but in only 7 out of 12 papillomas. Markedly increased cellularity was present in 4 carcinomas(67%) and 7 papillomas(58%). Single cells were present in 5 carcinomas(83%) and 8 papil lomas(67%). The majority of papillomas and papillary carcinomas had mild to moderate atypia, and severe atypia was noted in one case of intraductal papillary carcinoma and one case of invasive papillary carcinoma. Apocrine metaplasia was absent in all cases of papillary carcinomas, but present in 8 papillomas(67%). Macrophages were noted in 4 carcinomas and were present in all cases of papillomas. The constellation of severe atypia, bloody background, absence of apocrine metaplasia and/or macrophages were features to favor carcinoma. Malignant lesions tended to show higher cellularity and more single isolated cells. The cytologic features mentioned above would be helpful to distinguish benign from malignant papillary lesions of the breast. However, because of overlapping of cytologic features, surgical excision should be warranted in all cases of papillary lesions of the breast to further characterize the tumor.
Breast* ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Epithelial Cells ; Macrophages ; Metaplasia ; Needles ; Noma ; Papilloma ; Papilloma, Intraductal ; Retrospective Studies

Criminology has been understood within a sociological framework until the emergence of neurocriminology, which describes, understands and predicts criminal behaviors from a neurobiological point of view. Not only using biological factors including genes and hormones to understand criminal behaviors, but also using neuroimaging techniques, the field of neurocriminology aims to delve into both structural and functional differences in the brain of individuals with aggression, antisocial personalities, and even the criminals. Various studies have been conducted based on this idea, however, there still are limitations for the knowledge from these studies to be used in the court. In this review article, we provide an overview of the various research in neurocriminology, and provide insight into the future direction and implication of the field.
Aggression* ; Antisocial Personality Disorder ; Biological Factors ; Brain* ; Criminal Behavior* ; Criminals* ; Criminology ; Humans ; Neuroimaging* ; Neurosciences

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impaired recovery from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI). Because P2Y12 receptor blockade inhibits myocardial injury, ticagrelor with off-target properties may have myocardial protection over clopidogrel. In animal models, ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after MI. We aimed to investigate the effect of ticagrelor on sequential myocardial remodeling process after MI. METHODS: High platelet inhibition with ticagrelor to improve LV remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (HEALING-AMI) is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, multi-center trial done at 10 sites in Korea. Patients will be enrolled if they have ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and a planned duration of dual antiplatelet treatment of at least 6 months. Screened patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) using an internet-based randomization with a computer-generated blocking with stratification across study sites to either ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. The co-primary primary endpoints are LV remodeling index with three-dimensional echocardiography and the level of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 6 months representing post-MI remodeling processes. Changes of LV end-systolic/diastolic volume indices and LV ejection fraction between baseline and 6-month follow-up will be also evaluated. Analysis is per protocol. CONCLUSIONS: HEALING-AMI is testing the effect of ticagrelor in reducing adverse LV remodeling following STEMI. Our trial would show the benefit of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel related to the recovery of post-MI LV dysfunction beyond potent platelet inhibition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02224534
Blood Platelets ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Models, Animal ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myocardium ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Random Allocation ; Reperfusion Injury ; Ventricular Remodeling

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Impaired recovery from left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is a major prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI). Because P2Y12 receptor blockade inhibits myocardial injury, ticagrelor with off-target properties may have myocardial protection over clopidogrel. In animal models, ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel protects myocardium against reperfusion injury and improves remodeling after MI. We aimed to investigate the effect of ticagrelor on sequential myocardial remodeling process after MI. METHODS: High platelet inhibition with ticagrelor to improve LV remodeling in patients with ST-segment elevation MI (HEALING-AMI) is an investigator-initiated, randomized, open-label, assessor-blinded, multi-center trial done at 10 sites in Korea. Patients will be enrolled if they have ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention and a planned duration of dual antiplatelet treatment of at least 6 months. Screened patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) using an internet-based randomization with a computer-generated blocking with stratification across study sites to either ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. The co-primary primary endpoints are LV remodeling index with three-dimensional echocardiography and the level of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 6 months representing post-MI remodeling processes. Changes of LV end-systolic/diastolic volume indices and LV ejection fraction between baseline and 6-month follow-up will be also evaluated. Analysis is per protocol. CONCLUSIONS HEALING-AMI is testing the effect of ticagrelor in reducing adverse LV remodeling following STEMI. Our trial would show the benefit of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel related to the recovery of post-MI LV dysfunction beyond potent platelet inhibition.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02224534

BIRC5 (Survivin) belongs to the inhibitor of apoptosis gene family. The BIRC5 protein inhibits caspases and consequently blocks apoptosis. Thus, BIRC5 contributes to the progression of cancer allowing for continued cell proliferation and survival. In this study, we identified eight sequence variants of BIRC5 through direct DNA sequencing. Among the eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), six common variants with frequencies higher than 0.05 were selected for larger-scale genotyping (n=1,066). Results of the study did not show any association between the promoter region polymorphisms and the clearance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. This is in line with a previous study in which polymorphisms in the promoter region does not influence the function of BIRC5. Initially, we were able to detect a signal with the +9194A>G, which disappeared after multiple corrections but led to a change in amino acid. Similarly, we were also able to detect an association signal between two haplotypes (haplotype-2 and haplotype- 5) on the onset age of HCC and/or HCC occurrence, but the signals also disappeared after multiple corrections. As a result, we concluded that there was no association between BIRC5 polymorphisms and the clearance HBV infection and/or HCC occurrence. However, our results might useful to future studies.
Age of Onset ; Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Caspases ; Cell Proliferation ; Haplotypes ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVES: The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), a multicenter-based multi-cohort study, has collected information on body composition using two different bioelectrical impedence analysis (BIA) machines. The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of whether the test values measured from different BIA machines can be integrated through statistical adjustment algorithm under excellent inter-rater reliability. METHODS: We selected two centers to measure inter-rater reliability of the two BIA machines. We set up the two machines side by side and measured subjects' body compositions between October 2007 and December 2007. Duplicated test values of 848 subjects were collected. Pearson and intra-class correlation coefficients for inter-rater reliability were estimated using results from the two machines. To detect the feasibility for data integration, we constructed statistical compensation models using linear regression models with residual analysis and R-square values. RESULTS: All correlation coefficients indicated excellent reliability except mineral mass. However, models using only duplicated body composition values for data integration were not feasible due to relatively low R2 values of 0.8 for mineral mass and target weight. To integrate body composition data, models adjusted for four empirical variables that were age, sex, weight and height were most ideal (all R2>0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The test values measured with the two BIA machines in the KoGES have excellent reliability for the nine body composition values. Based on reliability, values can be integrated through algorithmic statistical adjustment using regression equations that includes age, sex, weight, and height.
Aged ; Biometry/*instrumentation/methods ; *Body Composition ; Cohort Studies ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; *Genome, Human ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observer Variation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea