The detection and phylogenetic characterization of , , and of cats in South Korea.

Introduction: , , and are gastrointestinal protozoa parasites that cause diarrhea in various animals. However, information regarding the detection and phylogenetic characterization of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats is limited throughout South Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the detection and identify subspecies of gastrointestinal protozoa parasites in cats from South Korea.

Characterization of the pathogenicity of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from pneumonia-infected lung samples of dogs and cats in South Korea.

This study aimed to investigate the pathogenicity of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) isolated from dog and cat lung samples in South Korea. A total of 101 E. coli isolates were analyzed for virulence factors, phylogroups, and O-serogroups, and their correlation with bacterial pneumonia-induced mortality was elucidated.

Multilocus genotyping of Giardia duodenalis from pigs in Korea.

Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. intestinalis, G.

Molecular Detection and Subtyping of Blastocystis in Korean Pigs.

Blastocystis is one of the most commonly detected genera of protozoan parasites in the human intestines as well as the intestines of many other species such as pigs in several geographical regions worldwide. However, no studies have examined Blastocystis in pigs in Korea. In this study, PCR and nucleotide sequencing were performed to evaluate the genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis using pig fecal samples.

Protective effects of zingerone on lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic failure through the modulation of inflammatory pathways.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of zingerone (ZGR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced liver failure in mice, and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. ZGR is a phenolic alkanone isolated from ginger, and has potential health benefits. Mice were treated intravenously with ZGR at 12 h after LPS treatment.

Potential Therapeutic Effect of Natural Killer Cells on Doxorubicin-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic effect of natural killer (NK) cells on human doxorubicin-sensitive and resistant breast adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Human doxorubicin-sensitive and resistant breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MCF-7/ADR) were tagged with renilla luciferase (Rluc) (MCF-7/RC and MCF-7/ADR/RC). NK cells were tagged with enhanced firefly luciferase (effluc) using a recombinant retrovirus transfection (NKF).

Biological production of an integrin αvβ3 targeting imaging probe and functional verification.

The aim of the present study is to establish a bacterial clone capable of secreting an integrin αvβ3 targeting probe with bioluminescent and fluorescent activities, and to verify its specific targeting and optical activities using molecular imaging. A bacterial vector expressing a fusion of secretory Gaussia luciferase (sGluc), mCherry, and RGD (sGluc-mCherry-RGDX3; GCR), and a control vector expressing a fusion of secretory Gaussia luciferase and mCherry (sGluc-mCherry; GC) were constructed. The GCR and GC proteins were expressed in E.

Combined RNA interference of adenine nucleotide translocase-2 and ganciclovir therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of combined RNA interference (RNAi) of the adenine nucleotide translocase-2 (ANT2) gene and ganciclovir (GCV) therapy for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh 7) in an animal model.

Methods: The Huh 7/NTG stable cell line was established by transfection of a vector with the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS), HSV1-sr39 thymidine kinase (tk), and enhanced green florescent protein (EGFP) fusion gene into Huh 7 cells. mRNA expressions of these genes were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis.

Enhancement of natural killer cell cytotoxicity by sodium/iodide symporter gene-mediated radioiodine pretreatment in breast cancer cells.

A phase II study of NK cell therapy in treatment of patients with recurrent breast cancer has recently been reported. However, because of the complexities of tumor microenvironments, effective therapeutic effects have not been achieved in NK cell therapy. Radioiodine (I-131) therapy inhibits cancer growth by inducing the apoptosis and necrosis of cancer cells.

In vivo monitoring of survival and proliferation of hair stem cells in a hair follicle generation animal model.

The purpose of this study was to investigate in vivo monitoring of hair follicle stem cells (newborn mouse fibroblasts [NFs]) expressing enhanced firefly luciferase (effluc) (NF-effluc) using noninvasive bioluminescence imaging (BLI). Effluc gene transduction into NFs was performed by retroviral vector, and effluc messenger ribonucleic acid expression and function were evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and luciferase assay. After in vivo transplantation of NF-effluc cells to generate hair follicles, BLI was performed on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after transplantation.

Dual reporter gene imaging for tracking macrophage migration using the human sodium iodide symporter and an enhanced firefly luciferase in a murine inflammation model.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to visualize the migration of reporter macrophages expressing both the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) and enhanced firefly luciferase (effluc) gene in mice with chemically induced inflammation.

Procedures: A macrophage cell line expressing both hNIS and effluc genes (Raw264.7/hNIS-effluc, herein referred to as a Raw264.

Combined E7-dendritic cell-based immunotherapy and human sodium/iodide symporter radioiodine gene therapy with monitoring of antitumor effects by bioluminescent imaging in a mouse model of uterine cervical cancer.

Using a uterine cervical cancer cell line expressing human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 antigen and bioluminescent imaging (BLI), we evaluated the therapeutic potential of combined immunotherapy using transfected dendritic cells (DC-E7) and human sodium/iodide symporter (hNIS) radioiodine gene therapy in a xenograft animal cancer model. Dendritic cells expressing either E7 antigen (DC-E7) or no-insert (DC-no insert) were made for immunization materials, and murine uterine cervical cancer cell line coexpressing E7, firefly luciferase, hNIS, and EGFP genes (TC-1/FNG) were prepared for the animal tumor model. C57BL/6 mice were divided into five therapy groups (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], DC-no insert, DC-E7, I-131, and DC-E7+I-131 groups).

Combined RNA interference of hexokinase II and (131)I-sodium iodide symporter gene therapy for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to investigate the enhanced therapeutic effect of the combined use of shRNA (small hairpin RNA) therapy for the hexokinase II (HKII) gene and (131)I human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) as a gene therapy for in vitro and in vivo treatment of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells (ARO) in an animal model.

Methods: A recombinant lentivirus containing a plasmid with the hNIS gene driven by phosphoglycerate kinase promoter and green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked with an internal ribosome entry site sequence was produced. ARO cells were transfected with the virus and sorted by fluorescent activated cell sorting using GFP (ARO-NG).

Enhanced antiproliferative effects of combination hexokinase II shRNA and NIS gene therapy on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Introduction: This study was designed to determine the antiproliferative effects of combination gene therapy using sodium iodide symporter (NIS)-based radioiodine and lentivirus-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against hexokinase II (HKII) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods: A7r5 rat VSMCs were stably transfected with a dual-expression vector of NIS and Fluc (A7r5-NL cells). Functional assessment was performed by radioiodine uptake assay, luciferase assay and confocal microscopy.

Combined Cerenkov luminescence and nuclear imaging of radioiodine in the thyroid gland and thyroid cancer cells expressing sodium iodide symporter: initial feasibility study.

Radioiodine (RI) such as (131)I or (124)I, can generate luminescent emission and be detected with an optical imaging (OI) device. To evaluate the possibility of a novel Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) for application in thyroid research, we performed feasibility studies of CLI by RI in the thyroid gland and human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells expressing sodium iodide symporter gene (ARO-NIS). For in vitro study, FRTL-5 and ARO-NIS were incubated with RI, and the luminometric and CLI intensity was measured with luminometer and OI device.

Differential gene expression analysis using paraffin-embedded tissues after laser microdissection.

Recent advances in laser microdissection allow for precise removal of pure cell populations from morphologically preserved tissue sections. However, RNA from paraffin-embedded samples is usually degraded during microdissection. The purpose of this study is to determine the optimal fixative for RNA extractions from laser microdissected paraffin-embedded samples.

Biological activities of osteoblasts on poly(methyl methacrylate)/silica hybrid containing calcium salt.

The biological activity of osteoblasts on the newly developed bioactive poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/silica hybrid containing calcium salt was investigated. The attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of primary cultured mouse calvarial osteoblasts were evaluated by hexosaminase, MTT, and alkaline phosphatase activity assays, respectively. The PMMA/silica hybrid showed higher biological activities than those of pure PMMA with regard to all three parameters.