Until now microsatellite (MS) have been a popular choice of markers for parentage verification. Recently many countries have moved or are in process of moving from MS markers to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for parentage testing. FAO-ISAG has also come up with a panel of 200 SNPs to replace the use of MS markers in parentage verification. However, in many countries most of the animals were genotyped by MS markers till now and the sudden shift to SNP markers will render the data of those animals useless. As National Institute of Animal Science in South Korea plans to move from standard ISAG recommended MS markers to SNPs, it faces the dilemma of exclusion of old animals that were genotyped by MS markers. Thus to facilitate this shift from MS to SNPs, such that the existing animals with MS data could still be used for parentage verification, this study was performed. In the current study we performed imputation of MS markers from the SNPs in the 500-kb region of the MS marker on either side. This method will provide an easy option for the labs to combine the data from the old and the current set of animals. It will be a cost efficient replacement of genotyping with the additional markers. We used 1,480 Hanwoo animals with both the MS data and SNP data to impute in the validation animals. We also compared the imputation accuracy between BovineSNP50 and BovineHD BeadChip. In our study the genotype concordance of 40% and 43% was observed in the BovineSNP50 and BovineHD BeadChip respectively.
Animals ; Cattle ; Genotype ; Korea* ; Methods ; Microsatellite Repeats* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Hemangioblasts or blood islands only arise in early development thereby the sources to obtain these bi-potential cells are limited. While previous studies have isolated both lineages in vitro through the hemangioblast, derivation efficiency was rather low due to cellular damage attributed by enzyme usage and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). This study focused on avoiding the use of damaging factors in the derivation of endothelial cells (ECs). Single cell H9-human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) were obtained by using a mild dissociation protocol then human embryoid body (hEB) formation was performed under hemangioblast differentiation conditions. The hEBs were subjected to a two-stage cytokine treatment procedure. Subsequent culture of the adhesive cells in day 4 hEBs gave arise to a seemingly pure population of ECs. The hESC-derived ECs were characterized by identifying signature endothelial gene and protein markers as well as testing for in vitro functionality. Furthermore, in vivo functionality was also confirmed by transplanting the cells in hindlimb ischemic murine models. We demonstrate that the genetic change required for EC derivation precedes blast colony formation. Furthermore, cell damage was prevented by abating enzyme usage and FACS, resulting in a high yield of ECs upon adhesion. Under this method, confluent cultures of ECs were obtainable 4 days after hEB formation which is significantly faster than previous protocols.
Adhesives ; Animals ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Endothelial Cells* ; Hemangioblasts ; Hindlimb ; Human Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Humans* ; In Vitro Techniques ; Islands ; Methods

Yerba Mate, derived from the leaves of the tree, Ilex paraguariensis, is widely-used as a tea or as an ingredient in formulated foods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Yerba Mate extract on weight loss, obesity-related biochemical parameters, and diabetes in high-fat diet-fed mice. To this end, by using in vivo animal models of dietary-induced obesity, we have made the interesting observations that Yerba Mate has the ability to decrease the differentiation of pre-adipocytes and to reduce the accumulation of lipids in adipocytes, both of which contribute to a lower growth rate of adipose tissue, lower body weight gain, and obesity. Our data from in vivo studies revealed that Yerba Mate treatment affects food intake, resulting in higher energy expenditure, likely as a result of higher basal metabolism in Yerba Mate-treated mice. Furthermore, in vivo effects of Yerba Mate on lipid metabolism included reductions in serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and glucose concentrations in mice that were fed a high fat diet. In conclusion, Yerba Mate can potentially be used to treat obesity and diabetes.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Basal Metabolism ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diet, High-Fat ; Eating ; Energy Metabolism ; Food, Formulated ; Glucose ; Ilex paraguariensis ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Obesity ; Tea ; Trees ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss

Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a functional food and has been well known for keeping good health due to its anti-fatigue and immunomodulating activities. However, there is no data on Korean red ginseng for its preventive activity against acute respiratory illness (ARI). The study was conducted in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers (Clinical Trial Number: NCT01478009). Our primary efficacy end point was the number of ARI reported and secondary efficacy end point was severity of symptoms, number of symptoms, and duration of ARI. A total of 100 volunteers were enrolled in the study. Fewer subjects in the KRG group reported contracting at least 1 ARI than in the placebo group (12 [24.5%] vs 22 [44.9%], P = 0.034), the difference was statistically significant between the two groups. The symptom duration of the subjects who experienced the ARI, was similar between the two groups (KRG vs placebo; 5.2 +/- 2.3 vs 6.3 +/- 5.0, P = 0.475). The symptom scores were low tendency in KRG group (KRG vs placebo; 9.5 +/- 4.5 vs 17.6 +/- 23.1, P = 0.241). The study suggests that KRG may be effective in protecting subjects from contracting ARI, and may have the tendency to decrease the duration and scores of ARI symptoms.
Adult ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panax/*chemistry ; Placebo Effect ; Plant Extracts/*therapeutic use ; Plant Roots/chemistry ; Republic of Korea ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult/*drug therapy/pathology/prevention & control ; Severity of Illness Index

BACKGROUND: The regional lymph nodal status is the most powerful independent predictor of survival for patients with clinical N0 primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the feasibility and morbidity of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) staging using a multidisciplinary team approach, in cooperation with other surgical departments, at a university hospital setting. METHODS: Twenty two patients with cutaneous melanoma and who were treated at Kyungpook National University Hospital were included in this study. They all received SLNB, which was done by the Departments of Dermatology and General Surgery. We evaluated the feasibility and side effects of SLNB. RESULTS: Pathologically-positive sentinel nodes were found in 7 of the 22 cases (31.8%) and all 7 patients were consequently upstaged. The whole process involved in SLNB was well tolerated by nearly all the patients, with only mild and transient complications being observed. CONCLUSION: We suggest that in a Korean setting, utilizing SLNB with a multi-disciplinary team approach is a technically feasible procedure that is able to detect occult nodal metastasis with low morbidity rates in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma.
Dermatology ; Humans ; Melanoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nitriles ; Pyrethrins ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

PURPOSE: A number of studies on the treatment of atopic dermatitis have focused on the therapeutic effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in patients with severe atopic dermatitis, although therapeutic protocols such as duration and dosage of recombinant IFN-gamma were different among studies. The beneficial effects of IFN-gamma have probably been attributed mainly to its immune modulating effect on the expression of several immunologic mediators although the mechanism of action of IFN-gamma therapy in atopic dermatitis is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of recombinant IFN-gamma on moderate to severe atopic dermatitis with changes in immunologic markers such as IgE level and eosionophil cationic protein (ECP). METHODS: Thirty children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis were selected for the treatment with recombinant IFN-gamma, and 10 children with atopic dermatitis were recruited for the controls without IFN-gamma treatment. They were followed up every 4 weeks for 3 months after IFN-gamma treatment. We evaluated the SCORAD index and immunologic markers including serum IgE and ECP and total eosinophil and neutrophil counts. RESULTS: Significant clinical improvement in reduced SCORAD index was observed 12 weeks after treatment with regimen of recombinant IFN-gamma. This clinical outcome was correlated more with changes in eosinophil counts and ECP levels than with those in serum IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of recombinant human IFN-gamma therapy for children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis was maintained without serious side effects for 6 months after final injection of recombinant IFN-gamma. Recombinant IFN-gamma therapy corrected cellular immune deficits, but not humoral immune defects in patients with atopic dermatitis.
Biomarkers ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interferon-gamma ; Neutrophils

OBJECTIVE: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to be associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis, however the prevalence of RLS in CRF patients on hemodialysis is variable due to different diagnostic criteria or dialysis technique. A few reports have indicated the association between RLS symptom and lower life quality in CRF patients on hemodialysis. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of RLS and its association with the quality of life in CRF patients of a single dialysis unit in Korea. METHODS: A total of 83 Korean CRF patients on hemodialysis in the Korea University Hospital were examined. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) were used to determine the diagnosis and severity of RLS. Questionnaires including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and Medical Outcome Study Form-36 (SF-36) were administered to all the patients for the assessment of sleep and quality of life. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were also measured for depression and status of mental illness by psychiatrist. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 31 (37.3%) patients were found to have RLS and 43 (51.8%) patients met at least one of the RLS diagnostic criteria. The AIS (t=2.40, p=0.019), ESS (t=2.41, p=0.018), HDRS (t=3.85, p<0.001) and CGI (t=3.52, p=0.001) were higher in the subjects with RLS compared to other subjects. The SF-36 scores were significantly lower in the patients with RLS except physical functioning and bodily pain. Total (p=0.005), physical component (p=0.019), and mental component scores (p=0.019) of SF-36 were significantly lower in patients with more severe RLS symptoms. CONCLUSION: There was significant relationship between RLS and poor quality of sleep and life. More severe RLS symptom was proven to be an important factor to make a quality of life worsen.
Depression ; Diagnosis ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prevalence ; Psychiatry ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis* ; Restless Legs Syndrome* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

OBJECTIVE: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known to be associated with chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis, however the prevalence of RLS in CRF patients on hemodialysis is variable due to different diagnostic criteria or dialysis technique. A few reports have indicated the association between RLS symptom and lower life quality in CRF patients on hemodialysis. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of RLS and its association with the quality of life in CRF patients of a single dialysis unit in Korea. METHODS: A total of 83 Korean CRF patients on hemodialysis in the Korea University Hospital were examined. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria and International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) were used to determine the diagnosis and severity of RLS. Questionnaires including Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), and Medical Outcome Study Form-36 (SF-36) were administered to all the patients for the assessment of sleep and quality of life. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were also measured for depression and status of mental illness by psychiatrist. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients, 31 (37.3%) patients were found to have RLS and 43 (51.8%) patients met at least one of the RLS diagnostic criteria. The AIS (t=2.40, p=0.019), ESS (t=2.41, p=0.018), HDRS (t=3.85, p<0.001) and CGI (t=3.52, p=0.001) were higher in the subjects with RLS compared to other subjects. The SF-36 scores were significantly lower in the patients with RLS except physical functioning and bodily pain. Total (p=0.005), physical component (p=0.019), and mental component scores (p=0.019) of SF-36 were significantly lower in patients with more severe RLS symptoms. CONCLUSION: There was significant relationship between RLS and poor quality of sleep and life. More severe RLS symptom was proven to be an important factor to make a quality of life worsen.
Depression ; Diagnosis ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prevalence ; Psychiatry ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis* ; Restless Legs Syndrome* ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

OBJECTIVES: It has been known that the contents of dreams change according to neuro-developmental differences in sex, progression of age and various environments, unlike the established psychoanalytic theory. To investigate the changes, we collected "most recent dream report" and analyzed the contents of dreams by using Hall/Van de Castle System. METHOD: Most recent dream reports were gathered from age 12-14 years old, 2,673 middle school students (1,544 male 1,129 female) and analyzed those reports using Hall/Van de Castle System. The data were sorted in SAS and dream SAT. RESULT: There were prominent differences between male and female middle school students in Male/Female Percentage (male/female; 56%/35%), Familiarity Percentage (57%/69%), Aggression/Friendliness Percentage (79%/65%), Befriender Percentage (50%/33%), Physical Aggression Percentage (90%/70%), Indoor Setting Percentage (40%/55%), Negative Emotion Percentage (56%/68%) and Torso/Anatomy Percentage (51%/36%). There were significant differences in Male/Female Percentage (65%/44%), Friendliness, Physical Aggression and Self Negativity Percentage in male and there were significant differences in Friendliness, Familiarity and Friends Percent in female between 1st and 2nd grade. But, it showed much similar dream patterns between 2nd and 3rd grade in both gender. In male, Aggression/Character Index with male character is significantly increased by 2nd grade (1st/ 2nd/ 3rd; 0.48/1.04/0.98), In female, Friendliness/Character Index with male character had significantly decreased by 2nd grade (0.38/0.19/0.20). CONCLUSION: There were apparent differences between age 12-14 years old male and female. Male adolescents have differences mostly in categories related with aggression, but female adolescents have differences in categories related with environment or character. It shows that developmental level of male are slower than female as of yet and male needs more active interpersonal relationship to find identity. Otherwise, the influences of passive attitude and actual circumferential environment are reflected in female's dream. There are no prominent differences among ages, but age 12-13 years old adolescents shows significant differences in interacting with the other gender. It means that circumferential environment and interpersonal relationship affect the contents of dreams and also the cognitive development related to age and sex. Afterwards, the development of dreams could be better understood through the neurocognitive study and dream analysis between other ages and nations.
Adolescent* ; Aggression ; Dreams* ; Female ; Friends ; Humans ; Male ; Psychoanalytic Theory ; Recognition (Psychology)

PURPOSE: To determine the physical properties of a newly developed cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We measured and compared the imaging properties for the indirect-type flat panel detector (FPD) of a new CBCT and the single detector array (SDA) of conventional helical CT (CHCT). RESULTS: First, the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the CBCT were superior to those of the CHCT. Second, the noise power spectrum (NPS) of the CBCT were worse than those of the CHCT. Third, detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of the indirect-type CBCT were worse than those of the CHCT at lower spatial frequencies, but were better at higher spatial frequencies. Although the comparison of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was estimated in the limited range of tube current, CNR of CBCT were worse than those of CHCT. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the indirect-type FPD system may be useful as a CBCT detector because of high resolution.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography* ; Noise ; Tomography, Spiral Computed