Ru-Catalyzed, cis-Selective Living Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization of Various Monomers, Including a Dendronized Macromonomer, and Implications to Enhanced Shear Stability

An unsaturated polymer’s cis/trans-olefin content has a significant influence on its properties. For polymers obtained by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), the cis/trans-olefin content can be tuned by using specific catalysts. However, cis-selective ROMP has suffered from narrow monomer scope and lack of control over the polymerization (giving polymers with broad molecular weight distributions and prohibiting the synthesis of block copolymers). Herein, we report the versatile cis-selective controlled living ROMP of various endo-tricyclo[4.2.2.0^(2,5)]deca-3,9-diene and various norbornene derivatives using a fast-initiating dithiolate-chelated Ru catalyst. Polymers with cis-olefin content as high as 99% could be obtained with high molecular weight (up to M_n of 105.1 kDa) and narrow dispersity (<1.4). The living nature of the polymerization was also exploited to prepare block copolymers with high cis-olefin content for the first time. Furthermore, owing to the successful control over the stereochemistry and narrow dispersity, we could compare cis- and trans-rich polynorbornene and found the former to have enhanced resistance to shear degradation

Effects of stress, depression, and spousal and familial support on maternal identity in pregnant women

Purpose The objective of this study was to identify the factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women. Methods Using a descriptive research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted. In total, 127 pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Korea from January to April 2019. Measurements included maternal identity, stress, depression, spousal and familial support, and demographic and obstetric characteristics. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results The mean score for maternal identity was 131.15 out of 160, and the mean scores for stress, depression, and spousal and familial support were 14.59 (out of 40), 6.82 (out of 30), and 109.04 (out of 132), respectively. Stress (r=–.38, p<.001), depression (r=–.37, p<.001), and spousal and familial support (r=.37, p<.001) were significantly correlated with maternal identity. In multiple regression analysis, stress (β=–0.27, p=.005) and spousal and familial support (β=0.23, p=.014) were found to be significant factors influencing maternal identity in pregnant women (F=14.19, p<.001). Conclusion It is necessary to develop effective strategies to mitigate stress and to encourage spousal and familial support in pregnant women. Such strategies could further enable pregnant women to enhance their maternal identity

Allelic and Haplotypic Diversity of HLA-A, -B, -C, and-DRB1 Genes in Koreans Defined by High-resolution DNA Typing

배경 : HLA 형별은 혈청학적 수준(generic level)에서도 다형성이 심하지만 대립유전자 수준에서는 더욱 심한 다형성을 보이고 인종 간에 큰 차이를 나타내는 것으로 알려졌다. 본 연구에서는 고해상도 DNA 검사법을 이용하여 한국인에서 HLA대립유전자 형별과 일배체형의 종류 및 빈도를 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : 건강한 한국인 474명을 대상으로 HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 유전자에 대해 두 단계의 검사로 대립유전자(4자리수) 형별 분석을 실시하였다. 1단계로 혈청학적 수준의 형별검사를 혈청학적 검사법이나 sequence-specific oligonucleotide(PCR-SSO) 방법으로 시행하였고, 그 다음 단계로 대립유전자 형별검사를 class I은 exon 2와 exon3, DRB1은 exon 2에 대해 single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) 또는 직접염기서열분석법을 이용하여 실시하였다. HLA 대립 유전자의 유전자 빈도, 일배체형 빈도, 연쇄불평형 값은 maximum likelihood 원리에 근거한 제11차 국제조직적합성워크숍 컴퓨터 프로그램을 이용하여 산출하였다. 결과 : 한국인에서 검출된 HLA-A, -B, -C, DRB1 대립유전자 형별은 각각 21, 40, 22, 29종이었다. 이 중에 유전자 빈도 10% 이상을 보인 대립유전자 형별(빈도순 나열)은 A*02:01, A*24:02, A*33:03; B*51:01; C*01:02, C*03:03; RB1*09:01등이었다. HLA 일배체형의 분석 결과 0.5% 이상의 빈도를 나타내는 2-유전자좌 일배체형은 A-C 44종, B-C 42종, A-B 51종, B-DRB1 52종이었고, 3-유전자좌 일배체형은 A-C-B 42종, A-B-DRB1 34종이었다. 한국인에서 빈도 1% 이상의 A-B-DR 일배체형은 13종으로, 전체 일배체형의 26.0%를 차지하였고, 2% 이상으로 가장 흔한 A-B-DR 일배체형은 A*33:03-B*44:03-DRB1*13:02 (3.7%), A*33:03-B*44:03-DRB1*07:01 (3.0%), A*33:03-B*58:01-DRB1*13:02 (3.0%), A*24:02-B*07:02-DRB1*01:01 (2.8%), A*30:01-B*13:02-DRB1* 07:01 (2.3%), A*11:01-B*15:01-DRB1*04:06 (2.2%) 등 6종이었다. 결론 : 본 연구를 통해 한국인의 대립유전자 수준의 HLA 형별과 HLA 일배체형 빈도에 대한 자료를 제시하였으며, 본 연구의 결과는 한국인에서 장기이식, 질환연관성 연구, 인류유전학적 연구 등에서 중요한 기초자료로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. Background : In this study, we used high-resolution DNA typing to investigate the distribution of HLA alleles and haplotypes in Koreans. Methods : HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 alleles were genotyped at the allelic (4-digit) level in 474 healthy Koreans. HLA genotyping was performed in two steps. Initially, serologic typing or generic-level DNA typing was performed using the FOR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide method, and then allelic DNA typing (exons 2 and 3 for class I, and exon 2 for DRB1) was carried out using the FOR-single-strand conformation polymorphism method or sequence-based typing. HLA allele and haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium values were calculated by the maximum likelihood method using a computer program developed for the 11th International Histocompatibility Workshop. Results : A total of 21 HLA-A, 40 HLA-B, 22 HLA-C, and 29 HLA-DRB1 alleles were found in Koreans. The most frequent alleles in each locus with frequencies of >= 10% were, in decreasing order of frequency, as follows: A star 24:02, A star 02:01, A(star)33:03; B(star)51:01; C(star)01:02, C(star)03:03; and DRB1(star)09:01. The numbers of two- and three-locus haplotypes with frequencies of >0.5% were as follows: 44 A-C, 42 B-C, 51 A-B, 52 B-DRB1, 42 A-C-B, and 34 A-B-DRB1. Thirteen A-B-DRB1 haplotypes with frequencies of >= 1.0% comprised 26.0% of the total haplotypes. The six most common haplotypes were as follows: A(star)33:03-B(star)44:03-DRB1(star)3:02 (3.7%), A(star)33:03-B(star)44:03-DRB1(star)07:01 (3.0%), A(star)33:03-B(star)58: 01-DRB1(star)13:02 (3.0%), A(star)24:02-B(star)07:02-DRB1(star)01:01 (2.8%), A(star)30:01-B(star)13:02-DRB1(star)07:01 (2.3%), and A(star)11:01-B(star)15:01-DR81(star)04:06 (2.2%). Conclusions : The information obtained in this study can be used as basic data for Koreans in the fields of organ transplantation, disease association, and anthropologic studies. 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Protective humoral immune response induced by an inactivated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus expressing the hypo-glycosylated glycoprotein 5

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. Although inactivated and live vaccines are commercially available for the control of PRRS, both types of vaccine have not always proven successful in terms of generating a protective immune response, particularly in the case of inactivated vaccines. In this study, we tested whether an inactivated vaccine could induce a humoral immune response to PRRS during a homologous challenge. Amino acid substitutions were introduced into glycoprotein (GP) 5 of the FL12 strain of the PRRS virus (PRRSV) using site-directed mutagenesis with a pFL12 infectious clone. The substitutions led to double deglycosylation in the putative glycosylation moieties on GP5. The mutant virus was subsequently inactivated with binary ethylenimine. The efficacy of the inactivated mutant virus was compared with that of the inactivated wild-type PRRSV. Only the inactivated mutant PRRSV induced serum neutralizing antibodies at six weeks post-vaccination. The group that was administered the inactivated mutant virus twice exhibited a significantly increased neutralizing antibody titer after a challenge with the virulent homologous strain and exhibited more rapid clearing of viremia compared to other groups, including the groups that were administered either the inactivated mutant or wild-type virus only once and the group that was administered the inactivated wild-type virus twice. Histopathological examination of lung tissue sections revealed that the group that was administered the inactivated mutant virus twice exhibited significantly thinner alveolar septa, whereas the thickness of the alveolar septa of the other groups were markedly increased due to lymphocyte infiltration. These results indicated that the deglycosylation of GP5 enhanced the immunogenicity of the inactivated mutant PRRSV and that twice administrations of the inactivated mutant virus conferred better protection against the homologous challenge. These findings suggest that the inactivated PRRSV that expresses a hypo-glycosylated GP5 is a potential inactivated vaccine candidate and a valuable tool for controlling PRRS for the swine industry

Protective humoral immune response induced by an inactivated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus expressing the hypo-glycosylated glycoprotein 5

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. Although inactivated and live vaccines are commercially available for the control of PRRS, both types of vaccine have not always proven successful in terms of generating a protective immune response, particularly in the case of inactivated vaccines. In this study, we tested whether an inactivated vaccine could induce a humoral immune response to PRRS during a homologous challenge. Amino acid substitutions were introduced into glycoprotein (GP) 5 of the FL12 strain of the PRRS virus (PRRSV) using site-directed mutagenesis with a pFL12 infectious clone. The substitutions led to double deglycosylation in the putative glycosylation moieties on GP5. The mutant virus was subsequently inactivated with binary ethylenimine. The efficacy of the inactivated mutant virus was compared with that of the inactivated wild-type PRRSV. Only the inactivated mutant PRRSV induced serum neutralizing antibodies at six weeks post-vaccination. The group that was administered the inactivated mutant virus twice exhibited a significantly increased neutralizing antibody titer after a challenge with the virulent homologous strain and exhibited more rapid clearing of viremia compared to other groups, including the groups that were administered either the inactivated mutant or wild-type virus only once and the group that was administered the inactivated wild-type virus twice. Histopathological examination of lung tissue sections revealed that the group that was administered the inactivated mutant virus twice exhibited significantly thinner alveolar septa, whereas the thickness of the alveolar septa of the other groups were markedly increased due to lymphocyte infiltration. These results indicated that the deglycosylation of GP5 enhanced the immunogenicity of the inactivated mutant PRRSV and that twice administrations of the inactivated mutant virus conferred better protection against the homologous challenge. These findings suggest that the inactivated PRRSV that expresses a hypo-glycosylated GP5 is a potential inactivated vaccine candidate and a valuable tool for controlling PRRS for the swine industry

Phenotypic and Genotypic Correction of WASP Gene Mutation in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome by Unrelated Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

We present two cases of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), in which nonsense mutations in the WASP gene were corrected phenotypically as well as genotypically by unrelated cord blood stem cell transplantation (CBSCT). Two male patients were diagnosed with WAS at the age of 5-month and 3-month and each received unrelated CBSCT at 16-month and 20-month of age, respectively. The infused cord blood (CB) units had 4/6 and 5/6 HLA matches and the infusion doses of total nucleated cells (TNC) and CD34+ cells were 6.24×107/kg and 5.08×107/kg for TNC and 1.33×105/kg and 4.8×105/kg for CD34+ cells, for UPN1 and UPN2, respectively. Complete donor cell chimerism was documented by variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) with neutrophil engraftment on days 31 and 13 and platelets on days 58 and 50, respectively. Immunologic reconstitution demonstrated that CBSCT resulted in consistent and stable T-, B-, and NK-cell development. Flow cytometric analysis for immunologic markers and sequence analysis of the WASP gene mutation revealed a normal pattern after CBSCT. These cases demonstrate that CBs can be an important source of stem cells for the phenotypical and genotypical correction of genetic diseases such as WAS

Acute pancreatitis associated with pegylated interferon-alpha-2a therapy in chronic hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy of pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFN-α) and ribavirin (RBV) is a current standard treatment for chronic HCV infection in Korea, which has considerable adverse effects. Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of PEG-IFN-α administration. We report a case of a 62-year-old female who experienced acute pancreatitis after 4 weeks of PEG-IFN-α-2a and RBV combination therapy for chronic HCV infection. The main cause of the acute pancreatitis in this case was probably PEG-IFN-α rather than RBV for several reasons. A few cases have been reported in which acute pancreatitis occurred during treatment with PEG-IFN-α-2b. This is the first report of acute pancreatitis associated with PEG-IFN-α-2a in Korea

Hepatoprotective and Antioxidative Activities of Cornus officinalis against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice

The fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. is commonly prescribed in Asian countries as a tonic formula. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extracts of the fruit of C. officinalis (ECO) was investigated in a mouse model of acetaminophen- (APAP-) induced liver injury. Pretreatment of mice with ECO (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg for 7 days) significantly prevented the APAP (200 mg/kg) induced hepatic damage as indicated by the serum marker enzymes (AST, ALT, and LDH). Parallel to these changes, ECO treatment also prevented APAP-induced oxidative stress in the mice liver by inhibiting lipid peroxidation (MDA) and restoring the levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and HO-1) and glutathione. Liver injury and collagen accumulation were assessed using histological studies by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Our results indicate that ECO can prevent hepatic injuries associated with APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by preventing or alleviating oxidative stress