Are Veterinary Costs and Socioeconomic Status Risk Factors for Companion Animal Relinquishment in the Republic of Korea?

More than 110,000 companion animals are sent to shelters each year due to abandonment in Republic of Korea, and there is a need to analyze the causes of the relinquishment of animals and implement appropriate policies. Veterinary costs have been blamed for this issue in Republic of Korea above the reported leading causes of socioeconomic status of owners, cost and behavior issues of the animals, or housing restrictions. However, it is rare to find supporting evidence.

Recurrence risk prediction of acute coronary syndrome per patient as a personalized ACS recurrence risk: a retrospective study.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been one of the most important issues in global public health. The high recurrence risk of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) has led to the importance of post-discharge care and secondary prevention of CHD. Previous studies provided binary results of ACS recurrence risk; however, studies providing the recurrence risk of an individual patient are rare.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms at miR-146a/196a2 and their primary ovarian insufficiency-related target gene regulation in granulosa cells.

MicroRNAs post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression in animals and plants. The aim of this study was to identify new target genes for microRNA polymorphisms (miR-146aC>G and miR-196a2T>C) in primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). We cloned and transfected miR-146aC>G and miR-196a2T>C into human granulosa cells and used microarrays and qPCR-arrays to examine the changes in the messenger RNA expression profile.

miR-27a and miR-449b polymorphisms associated with a risk of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss.

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression during the peri-implantation period. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in the four miRNAs associated with fetal or placental development play roles in the development of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean females.

Study Design: A case-control study involving 225 controls and 387 women with at least two consecutively recurrent pregnancy losses between 1999 and 2012 was performed.

Polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (-863C>A, -857C>T and +488G>A) are associated with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss in Korean women.

Polymorphisms in TNF-a have been reported as genetic risk factors for recurrent spontaneous abortion and TNF-α may be immunologically important. We therefore examined the contribution of several TNF-a mutations to this phenomenon. The study participants consisted of 388 patients with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), which was diagnosed on the basis of at least two consecutive spontaneous abortions; control subjects were 224 healthy women with a history of successful pregnancies.

Whole genome sequencing in cats, identifies new models for blindness in AIPL1 and somite segmentation in HES7.

Background: The reduced cost and improved efficiency of whole genome sequencing (WGS) is drastically improving the development of cats as biomedical models. Persian cats are models for Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), the most severe and earliest onset form of visual impairment in humans. Cats with innocuous breed-defining traits, such as a bobbed tail, can also be models for somite segmentation and vertebral column development.

Genetic variants of vascular endothelial growth factor are associated with recurrent implantation failure in Korean women.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in embryonic development, decidual vascularization and placenta angiogenesis. This study was performed to determine whether there is an association between genetic polymorphisms in the VEGF gene and the development of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) in Korean women. A total of 119 women diagnosed with RIF and 236 control subjects were genotyped for VEGF polymorphic sites including rs833061 (-460T>C), rs25648 (-7C>T) and rs3025020 (-583C>T) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assays and real-time PCR.

Association of breast cancer-related microRNA polymorphisms with idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether breast cancer-related microRNA polymorphisms are associated with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) risk.

Methods: Four breast cancer-related microRNA polymorphisms (miR-27aA > G [rs895819], miR-135bC > T [rs74141216], miR-423C > A [rs6505162], and miR-608G > C [rs4919510]) were genotyped in 136 women with idiopathic POI and 224 controls of Korean ethnicity using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Differences in genotype frequencies between cases and controls were compared.

Characterization of Two Novel mAbs Recognizing Different Epitopes on CD43.

JL1, a specific epitope on CD43, is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of acute leukemia. Although qualitative assays for detecting leukemia-specific CD43 exist, there is a need to develop quantitative assays for the same. Here, we developed two novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 2C8 and 8E10, recognizing different epitopes on CD43.

Genome-wide association and linkage analyses localize a progressive retinal atrophy locus in Persian cats.

Hereditary eye diseases of animals serve as excellent models of human ocular disorders and assist in the development of gene and drug therapies for inherited forms of blindness. Several primary hereditary eye conditions affecting various ocular tissues and having different rates of progression have been documented in domestic cats. Gene therapy for canine retinopathies has been successful, thus the cat could be a gene therapy candidate for other forms of retinal degenerations.

Genetic variants in microRNA machinery genes are associated [corrected] with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss risk.

Objective: Key molecules involved in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis, such as DROSHA, XPO5, and DICER, have been identified in trophoblast cells, confirming that the miRNA biogenesis pathway is active in human placenta. In addition, miRNAs regulate uterine gene expression associated with inflammatory responses during the peri-implantation period and participate in maternal-fetal immune tolerance. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether genetic polymorphisms in miRNA machinery genes show an association with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean women.

Transcobalamin II (TCN2 67A>G and TCN2 776C>G) and transcobalamin II receptor (TCblR 1104C>T) polymorphisms in Korean patients with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Problem: The transcobalamin II (TCN2) 776C>G polymorphism has been reported to be a genetic risk factor for idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). However, the sample size in previous studies was small, and other TCN2 polymorphisms have not been studied. Moreover, the TCN2 67A>G and 776C>G polymorphisms, and the transcobalamin II receptor (TCblR/CD320) 1104C>T polymorphism, have demonstrated associations with immune responses.

Divergent and dynamic activity of endogenous retroviruses in burn patients and their inflammatory potential.

Genes constitute ~3% of the human genome, whereas human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) represent ~8%. We examined post-burn HERV expression in patients' blood cells, and the inflammatory potentials of the burn-associated HERVs were evaluated. Buffy coat cells, collected at various time points from 11 patients, were screened for the expression of eight HERV families, and we identified their divergent expression profiles depending on patient, HERV, and time point.

Association of inhibin α gene promoter polymorphisms with risk of idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency in Korean women.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether two polymorphisms in the promoter region of inhibin alpha (INHA) are associated with risk of idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in Korean women, which is a controversial topic.

Study Design: We genotyped the INHA polymorphisms c.-16C>T (rs35118453) and c.

Genetic association of five plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) polymorphisms and idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss in Korean women.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is important for maintaining pregnancy. Aberrantly increased PAI-1 levels may contribute to thrombosis and inflammation, leading to pregnancy loss. This study investigated the association of PAI-1 polymorphisms (PAI-1 rs2227631 [-844G>A], rs1799889 [-675 4G/5G], rs6092 [43G>A], rs2227694 [9785G>A], and rs7242 [11053T>G]) with idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) in Korean women.

Association of polymorphisms in microRNA machinery genes (DROSHA, DICER1, RAN, and XPO5) with risk of idiopathic primary ovarian insufficiency in Korean women.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether polymorphisms in microRNA machinery genes are associated with the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).

Methods: We genotyped 136 POI patients and 236 controls among Korean women for nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; DROSHA rs6877842 and rs10719; DICER1 rs13078 and rs3742330; RAN rs14035; and XPO5 rs34324334, rs2257082, rs11544382, and rs11077) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Differences in genotype frequencies between patients and controls were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were determined as measures of the strength of the association between genotype and POI.

Association of nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms (-786T>C, 4a4b, 894G>T) with primary ovarian insufficiency in Korean women.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to investigate whether the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms -786T>C, 4a4b, and 894G>T that affect nitric oxide (NO) generation confer a risk for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) in Korean women.

Study Design: We genotyped 136 POI patients and 236 controls among Korean women for the three single nucleotide polymorphism sites with PCR-RFLP analysis. Differences in the eNOS -786T>C (rs2070744), 4a4b (rs61722009), and 894G>T (rs1799983) genotype frequencies between patients and controls were compared, and odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were determined as a measure of the strength of the association between the genotypes and POI.

Association of the miR-146aC>G, miR-149T>C, miR-196a2T>C, and miR-499A>G polymorphisms with gastric cancer risk and survival in the Korean population.

We investigated whether four common microRNA polymorphisms (miR-146aC>G [rs2910164], miR-149T>C [rs2292832], miR-196a2T>C [rs11614913], and miR-499A>G [rs3746444]) are associated with the susceptibility and prognosis of gastric cancer in the Korean population. The four microRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in a case-control study (461 patients; 447 controls) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in the Korean population. When patients were stratified into diffuse and intestinal-type gastric cancer groups, subjects with the miR-499AG and AG + GG genotypes had reduced adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for diffuse-type gastric cancer (AOR = 0.

Association of the miR-146aC>G, miR-149T>C, miR-196a2T>C, and miR-499A>G polymorphisms with risk of spontaneously aborted fetuses.

Problem: The miR-196a2T>C and miR-499A>G polymorphisms have been reported to be genetic risk factors for recurrent spontaneous abortion; however, that previous study focused on the genetic analyses of pregnant women rather than aborted fetuses. Because annexin A1 is a target of miR-196a2 and is related to anti-inflammation, miR-196a2 may be immunologically important. Moreover, miR-146a, miR-149, miR-196a2, and miR-499 have shown associations with immune responses.

Association of miR-146aC>G, miR-196a2T>C, and miR-499A>G polymorphisms with risk of premature ovarian failure in Korean women.

We investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) polymorphisms (miR-146aC>G, miR-196a2T>C, and miR-499A>G) confer risk of premature ovarian failure (POF) in Korean women. DNA samples from 136 patients with POF and 234 controls were genotyped for the 3 miRNA single-nucleotide polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The miR-146aCG/miR-196a2TC combined genotype was less frequent in patients than in controls (P < .

Association of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR 677C>T) and thymidylate synthase (TSER and TS 1494del6) polymorphisms with premature ovarian failure in Korean women.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variant (MTHFR 677C>T) and thymidylate synthase (TS) gene variants (TS enhancer region [TSER] and TS 1494del6) confer a risk for premature ovarian failure (POF).

Methods: We genotyped 136 POF patients and 236 controls among Korean women for the three single nucleotide polymorphism sites using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Differences in the MTHFR 677C>T, TSER, and TS 1494del6 genotype frequencies between POF patients and controls were compared, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were determined as a measure of the strength of the association between genotypes and POF.

Association between kinase insert domain-containing receptor polymorphisms (-604T>C, 1192G>A, 1719A>T) and premature ovarian failure in Korean women.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate whether the -604T>C, 1192G>A, and 1719A>T polymorphisms in the kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) gene confer risk for premature ovarian failure (POF) in Korean women.

Methods: DNA samples from 133 POF patients and 230 controls were genotyped for the three KDR single nucleotide polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

Results: The POF patients had significantly increased frequencies of the KDR -604TC and -604TC + CC genotypes (odds ratio [OR], 1.

Solute Carrier Family 19, member 1 (SLC19A1) polymorphisms (-43T>C, 80G>A, and 696C>T), and haplotypes in idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion in a Korean population.

The objective was to investigate the association between idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and 3 SLC19A1 polymorphisms (-43T>C, 80G>A, and 696C>T). DNA from 269 patients with RSA and 125 controls were genotyped for the 3 SLC19A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Homocysteine and folate levels of 100 patients with RSA were available for analysis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene polymorphisms in spontaneously aborted fetuses.

Problems: The VEGF-1154G>A polymorphism has been reported to be a genetic risk factor for recurrent spontaneous abortion in various studies; however, these studies have focused on genetic analyses of pregnant women rather than aborted fetuses. To evaluate and confirm the association between the VEGF-1154G>A polymorphism and spontaneous abortion, we focused on the relationship between four polymorphisms in the VEGF gene (-2578C>A, -1154G>A, -634G>C, and 936C>T) and spontaneously aborted fetuses (SAFs).

Method Of Study: The subjects included 118 SAFs at <20 weeks gestation and 380 normal controls consisting of children and adults.