Agaricus bisporus is a popular edible mushroom that is cultivated worldwide. Due to its secondary homothallic nature, cultivated A. bisporus strains have low genetic diversity, and breeding novel strains is challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of globally collected A. bisporus strains using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Agaricus bisporus strains were divided based on genetic distance-based groups and model-based subpopulations. The major allele frequency (MAF), number of genotypes (NG), number of alleles (NA), observed heterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosity (HE), and polymorphic information content (PIC) were calculated, and genetic distance, population structure, genetic differentiation, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were assessed. Strains were divided into two groups by distance-based analysis and into three subpopulations by model-based analysis. Strains in subpopulations POP A and POP B were included in Group I, and strains in subpopulation POP C were included in Group II. Genetic differentiation between strains was 99%. Marker AB-gSSR-1057 in Group II and subpopulation POP C was confirmed to be in HWE. These results will enhance A. bisporus breeding programs and support the protection of genetic resources.

Agaricus bisporus is a popular edible mushroom that is cultivated worldwide. Due to its secondary homothallic nature, cultivated A. bisporus strains have low genetic diversity, and breeding novel strains is challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of globally collected A. bisporus strains using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Agaricus bisporus strains were divided based on genetic distance-based groups and model-based subpopulations. The major allele frequency (MAF), number of genotypes (NG), number of alleles (NA), observed heterozygosity (HO), expected heterozygosity (HE), and polymorphic information content (PIC) were calculated, and genetic distance, population structure, genetic differentiation, and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) were assessed. Strains were divided into two groups by distance-based analysis and into three subpopulations by model-based analysis. Strains in subpopulations POP A and POP B were included in Group I, and strains in subpopulation POP C were included in Group II. Genetic differentiation between strains was 99%. Marker AB-gSSR-1057 in Group II and subpopulation POP C was confirmed to be in HWE. These results will enhance A. bisporus breeding programs and support the protection of genetic resources.

We designed 170 new simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers based on the whole-genome sequence data of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), and selected 121 polymorphic markers. A total of 121 polymorphic markers, the average major allele frequency (M(AF)) and the average number of alleles (N(A)) were 0.50 and 5.47, respectively. The average number of genotypes (N(G)), observed heterozygosity (H(O)), expected heterozygosity (H(E)), and polymorphic information content (PIC) were 6.177, 0.227, 0.619, and 0.569, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that M(AF) was negatively correlated with N(G) (−0.683), N(A) (−0.600), H(O) (−0.584), and PIC (−0.941). N(G), N(A), H(O), and PIC were positively correlated with other polymorphic parameters except for M(AF). UPGMA clustering showed that 26 A. bisporus accessions were classified into 3 groups, and each accession was differentiated. The 121 SSR markers should facilitate the use of molecular markers in button mushroom breeding and genetic studies.

The white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is one of the most widely cultivated species of edible mushroom. Despite its economic importance, relatively little is known about the genetic diversity of this species. Illumina paired-end sequencing produced 43,871,558 clean reads and 69,174 contigs were generated from five offspring. These contigs were subsequently assembled into 57,594 unigenes. The unigenes were annotated with reference genome in which 6,559 unigenes were associated with clusters, indicating orthologous genes. Gene ontology classification assigned many unigenes. Based on genome data of the five offspring, 44 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed. The major allele frequency ranged from 0.42 to 0.92. The number of genotypes and the number of alleles ranged from 1 to 4, and from 2 to 4, respectively. The observed heterozygosity and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00 to 1.00, and from 0.15 to 0.64, respectively. The polymorphic information content value ranged from 0.14 to 0.57. The genetic distances and UPGMA clustering discriminated offspring strains. The SSR markers developed in this study can be applied in polymorphism analyses of button mushroom and for cultivar discrimination.
Agaricales* ; Alleles ; Classification ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Estrone ; Gene Frequency ; Gene Ontology ; Genetic Variation ; Genome ; Genotype ; Microsatellite Repeats*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to measure the concentration of volatile organic compound (VOC)s originated from the chemicals used and/or derived from the original parental chemicals in the photolithography processes of semiconductor manufacturing factories. METHODS: A total of four photolithography processes in 4 Fabs at three different semiconductor manufacturing factories in Korea were selected for this study. This study investigated the types of chemicals used and generated during the photolithography process of each Fab, and the concentration levels of VOCs for each Fab. RESULTS: A variety of organic compounds such as ketone, alcohol, and acetate compounds as well as aromatic compounds were used as solvents and developing agents in the processes. Also, the generation of by-products, such as toluene and phenol, was identified through a thermal decomposition experiment performed on a photoresist. The VOC concentration levels in the processes were lower than 5% of the threshold limit value (TLV)s. However, the air contaminated with chemical substances generated during the processes was re-circulated through the ventilation system, thereby affecting the airborne VOC concentrations in the photolithography processes. CONCLUSION: Tens of organic compounds were being used in the photolithography processes, though the types of chemical used varied with the factory. Also, by-products, such as aromatic compounds, could be generated during photoresist patterning by exposure to light. Although the airborne VOC concentrations resulting from the processes were lower than 5% of the TLVs, employees still could be exposed directly or indirectly to various types of VOCs.
Humans ; Korea ; Light ; Parents ; Phenol ; Semiconductors ; Solvents ; Toluene ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation ; Ventilation ; Volatile Organic Compounds

PURPOSE: Post-authorization survey(PAS) is a useful tool for obtainting wider range of data on the safety and efficacy of new drugs following their approval, as they can detect uncommon, unreported adverse events(AEs), which enables more attention to be directed to the practioners. Especially, the limited number of patients in oncology trial cannot usually give the actual incidence of AEs. METHODS: Since Nov. 1998, when docetaxel gained Korean approval in the treatment of breast cancer, a PAS to investigate its safety profiles has been conducted targeting more than 600 patients over 4 calendar years. RESULTS: Case report forms from 626 out of 646 patients were assessable for safety and 444 for efficacy. The patient characteristics are: mean age, 48.1 years; male/female 4/622; Wt/Ht/BSA 57.9 kg/156.1 cm/1.56 m2 ; stage I-II/III/IV 109 (18.2%)/125 (20.8%)/366(61.0%). In 344 patients, 960 AEs were reported in severity of mild/moderate/severe in 6.7, 40.9 and 51.1 % of cases. From AE results, 36.0% needed dose reduction; 34.3% transient interruption of the cycle; and 1.3% permanent discontinuation of docetaxel. Thirty five serious AEs such as febrile neutropenia, alopecia, diarrhea, abdominal pain and headache were reported in 21 patients. Unexpected AEs such as skin ulcer, discoloration of skin, H. Zoster infection, ulticaria, facial flush, chest pain, hemoptysis, pneumonia, stridor, nasal bleeding, photophobia, haematuria, Cushing's syndrome, hyperglycemia and insomnia were reported regardless of any causal relationship. Factors affecting the development of AEs were age, stage, concomitant medication other than chemotherapeutic agents and the number of cycles treated. The efficacy was evaluable in 444 patients with overall response rate of 36.5% (CR/PR 6.3/30.2%). Factors affecting the efficacy were stage, concommitant medication other than chemotherapeutic agents and the number of treatment cycles. CONCLUSION: This post-authorization survey on the safety and efficacy of docetaxel in breast cancer offers oncology practice in the real world without subject selection as is the case in clinical trials, although it was performed to fulfill the registrative requirement of the Korean health authority with limited data. The efficacy and safety profile of docetaxel in breast cancer was no much different from those reported in clinical trials.
Abdominal Pain ; Alopecia ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Chest Pain ; Cushing Syndrome ; Diarrhea ; Epistaxis ; Febrile Neutropenia ; Headache ; Hemoptysis ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Incidence ; Photophobia ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Sounds ; Skin ; Skin Ulcer ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

The mechanisms of high turnover bone loss induced by Cyclosporin A (CsA) are not clearly understood. Deficiencies in sex hormones result in high turnover osteoporosis, and not only androgen but also estrogen plays an important role in maintaining bone mass in men. To study whether or not there are any changes in the levels of sex hormones, aromatization, and the expression of estrogen receptors in CsA-induced osteoporosis, we treated 39 rats with vehicle, low-dose CsA (5 mg/kg) and high dose CsA (15 mg/kg) for 28 days, and measured sex hormone levels by radioimmunoassay. Aromatase activities in ROS cells and 3T3-L1 cells were determined by measuring the conversion rate of 3H-androstenedione into 3H-estrone. ER and ER mRNA were measured by competitive RT-PCR in collected marrow cells and ROS cells. The levels of free testosterone in the serum in low-dose CsA-treated rats were unchanged, but the levels were significantly decreased in those treated with high-dose CsA as previously reported. The levels of total estradiol in the serum were significantly increased in the low-dose CsA-treated group (5 mg/kg) and were comparable to levels of the control group in the high-dose CsA-treated group (15 mg/kg). CsA increased the conversion of 3H-androstenedione to 3H-estrone in ROS cells, but not in 3T3-L1 cells. Meanwhile, CsA treatment did not change the rates of ER or ER mRNA expression in ROS cells or in collected bone marrow cells. In conclusion, CsA treatment decreased the level of free testosterone in the serum, but did not decrease the level of serum estradiol by enhancing aromatization. High-turnover osteoporosis induced by clinical dosage CsA treatment may not be caused by lowering the levels of circulating estrogen or by decreasing the expression of estrogen receptors.
3T3 Cells ; Animal ; Aromatase/metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cyclosporine/pharmacology* ; Cyclosporine/adverse effects ; Male ; Mice ; Osteoporosis/chemically induced ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism* ; Sex Hormones/metabolism* ; Sex Hormones/blood

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the MR imaging and CT findings of intracranial inflammatory pseudotumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR imaging (n=8) and CT (n=4) studies of eight patients (M:F = 4:4, mean age: 41 years) with pathologically proven intracranial inflammatory pseudotumor. The findings were then evaluated with regard to location, shape, MR signal intensity, CT density and degree of contrast enhancement of the lesion, surrounding parenchymal edema, adjacent bone change and the location of accompanying extracranial lesion. RESULTS: In two patients, the parietal convexity was involved unilaterally, with no extracranial mass, and in the other six, the middle cranial fossa was involved unilaterally and extracranial mass was present. The lesion also involved the tentorium in four cases, the cavernous sinus in four, the anterior cranial fossa in one, and the posterior cranial fossa in one. The location of extracranial mass was the mastoid and middle ear cavity in two cases, the infratemporal fossa in two, both the infratemporal fossa and paranasal sinuses in one, and the orbit in one. MR images showed diffuse dural thickening in all eight cases, leptomeningeal thickening in four, and focal meningeal-based mass in two. As seen on T1-weighted images, the lesions were isointense to gray matter in eight cases, and on T2-weighted images were hypointense in seven cases and isointense in one. Marked homogeneous contrast enhancement was seen in all eight cases. The lesions seen on brain CT, performed in two cases, were isodense. Adjacent brain parenchymal edema and the destruction of adjacent bones were each seen in five cases. CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR findings of intracranial inflammatory pseudotumors are(1) diffuse dural thickening;(2) a focal meningeal-based mass which on T2-weighted images is seen as hypointense; and marked (3) contrast enhancement : these findings are, however, nonspecific. In order to differentiate these tumors, an awareness of these findings is, however, useful.
Brain ; Cavernous Sinus ; Cranial Fossa, Anterior ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; Ear, Middle ; Edema ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Mastoid ; Orbit ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Rabeprazole

Radiation therapy is one of the most important treatment modalities following surgery of the primary malignant or metastatic brain tumors. But radiation can be harmful to normal healthy brain tissues around the tumor. There have been numerous reports of radiation induced damage such as delayed necrosis to human brain after therapeutic exposure. Apoptosis is a form of cell death with morphological and biochemical features that differ from those of necrosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the apoptosis in normal rat brain after irradiation. Twenty one Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single dose of 10 Gy using high dose rate Ir-192 over 5 minutes at the right frontal region. Apoptosis was evaluated by the TUNEL method(In-situ end labelling technique) and mutant p53 protein, bc1-2 and bax genes were evaluated by immunohistochemical stain. Apoptosis was assessed at 1 week(group A, n=5), 2 week(group B, n=), 4 week(group C, n=), 6 week(group D, n=), 8 week(group E, n=) after irradiation. Apoptosis was noted with 20% of cases(1/5) in group A, 40% of cases(2/5) in group B, 60% of cases(3/5) in group C, 67% of cases(2/3) in group D and 100% of cases(3/3) in group E. Overall apoptosis positive rate was 52.4%(11/21). Apoptosis was most prominently found in external granular and external pyramidal layer(82%, 9/11) and found one case in internal pyramidal layer and the other one case in corticowhite matter junction. There were no positive stainning for mutant p53 protein, bc1-2 and bax gene in all cases pertaining to the phenomenon of apoptosis. In conclusion, apoptosis was evident in the rat brain after irradiation and the incidence of apoptosis was increased with time after irradiation. But the genes related to apoptosis after irradiation were not apparent in this study. Further evaluation including biochemical and clonogenic study needs to clarify the mechanism of apoptosis in normal brain after irradiation.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Brain Neoplasms ; Brain* ; Cell Death ; Humans ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Incidence ; Necrosis ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE:It is important to evaluate the healing process of avascular necrosis (AVN) involving femoral head after treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of pinhole bone scintigraphy in the AVN of femoral head after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the changing pattern of pinhole bone scintigram in 21 femoral heads of 16 patients (14 lesions/11 male, 7 lesions/5 female, mean age: 39.4 yrs) before and after multiple drilling or vascularized bone grafting for AVN of the femoral head. In all patients, pre-operative scintigrams were obtained at 1 to 3 months before treatment and the first post-operative scintigrams were obtained at 1 to 3 months after treatment. All patients were followed for 2 to 4 years after operation. RESULTS: The findings of the pinhole scintigrams were divided into three patterns: 1) curvilinear, 2) scattered spotty and 3) undetermined. The 10 of 11 lesions with curvilinear pattern had good postoperative clinical and radiological follow-up findings. However, all 6 lesions with scattered spotty pattern showed poor postoperative findings, which necessitated total hip joint replacement. Of the 4 lesions with undetermined pattern, 2 required total hip joint replacement. There was significant difference in postoperative prognosis between the curvilinear and scattered spotty patterns (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that the pattern of pinhole bone scintigram obtained within 1 to 3 months after multiple drilling or vascularized bone graft operation is a useful prognostic indicator in the AVN of femoral head.
Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head* ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis* ; Prognosis* ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Technetium Tc 99m Medronate ; Transplants*