• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.702-717
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• 2022

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV employs diverse strategies to evade host antiviral innate immune responses to mediate a persistent infection. In the present study, we show that nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A) interacts with an NF-κB inhibitor immunomodulatory kinase, IKKε, and subsequently downregulates beta interferon (IFN-β) promoter activity. We further demonstrate that NS5A inhibits DDX3-mediated IKKε and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation. We also note that hyperphosphorylation of NS5A mediates protein interplay between NS5A and IKKε, thereby contributing to NS5A mediated modulation of IFN-β signaling. Lastly, NS5A inhibits IKKε-dependent p65 phosphorylation and NF-κB activation. Based on these findings, we propose NS5A as a novel regulator of IFN signaling events, specifically by inhibiting IKKε downstream signaling cascades through its interaction with IKKε. Taken together, these data suggest an additional mechanistic means by which HCV modulates host antiviral innate immune responses to promote persistent viral infection.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.353-356
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• 2015

Background: In 2012, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology investigated personnel potentially exposed to a Brucella suis isolate as it transited through three laboratories. Methods: We summarize the first implementation of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2013 revised recommendations for monitoring such exposures: (1) risk classification; (2) antimicrobial postexposure prophylaxis; (3) serologic monitoring; and (4) symptom surveillance. Results: Over 30 people were assessed for exposure and subsequently monitored for development of illness. No cases of laboratory-associated brucellosis occurred. Changes were made to gaps in laboratory biosafety practices that had been identified in the investigation. Conclusion: Achieving full compliance for the precise schedule of serologic monitoring was challenging and resource intensive for the laboratory performing testing. More refined exposure assessments could inform decision making for follow-up to maximize likelihood of detecting persons at risk while not overtaxing resources.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.285-293
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• 2019

This study was performed to examine relationships between the levels of health promoting lifestyle, health beliefs about emerging infectious disease and hygiene behavior of college students. A descriptive research design was used, and 252 subjects were recruited from an university in Seoul. Data were collected from August to November, 2018. As result, health promoting lifestyle differed significantly depending on gender and perceived health status. Hygiene behavior were significantly influenced by major, health promoting lifestyle, and health beliefs about emerging infectious disease. In providing health-related education to college students, it is necessary to include content that can establish health beliefs about emerging infectious disease, and to develop a program that comprehensively deals with hygiene activities that can prevent these diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.651-656
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• 2013

Human schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mekongi is a chronic and debilitating helminthic disease still prevalent in several countries of Asia. Due to morphological similarities of cercariae and eggs of these 2 species, microscopic differentiation is difficult. High resolution melting (HRM) real-time PCR is developed as an alternative tool for the detection and differentiation of these 2 species. A primer pair was designed for targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene to generate PCR products of 156 base pairs for both species. The melting points of S. japonicum and S. mekongi PCR products were $84.5{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$ and $85.7{\pm}0.07^{\circ}C$, respectively. The method permits amplification from a single cercaria or an egg. The HRM real-time PCR is a rapid and simple tool for differentiation of S. japonicum and S. mekongi in the intermediate and final hosts.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2023

Purpose: To accommodate the increasing number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous portable HEPA filter units (PHUs) were installed in the general wards of existing medical facilities(EMFs) to convert them into emergency conversion facilities (ECFs). The purpose of this study was to build a dataset in preparation for emerging infectious diseases in the post-COVID-19 era by analyzing the construction and operation of ECFs. Methods: Field investigations were conducted during ECF operation periods based on the analysis of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HAVC) system design documents for six ECFs across Korea. Interviews were conducted with facility managers during the field investigations. Results: When constructing an ECF within an EMF, the installation status and characteristics of the existing system should be considered. Field investigations and verifications of the operation of HAVC systems must be conducted beforehand for smooth ECF operations. If heating and cooling are required with indoor air circulation type equipment in an ECF zone, the implementation of a heating and cooling method that can satisfy the comfort requirements of the occupants while minimizing cross-contamination is essential. When using PHUs that do not meet the performance standards required by medical equipment, the noise level resulting from such equipment operation must be evaluated and improved. Implications: For EMFs, various guidelines that can be referred to for the construction and operation of ECFs must be developed to prepare for emerging infectious diseases in the future.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.201-209
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• 2023

This study investigated to provide basic data for infection control education on new infectious diseases by confirming the level of knowledge, training status, stress, and need for training on new infectious diseases for 119 emergency medical technicians (EMT). This data collection period was a total of 39 days from August 10 to September 18, 2022, and a total of 105 copies were collected. The analysis of this study used the SPSS 25.0 program. As a result of the study, among the 119 paramedics, the gender of the EMT was 54 men (51.4%) and 51 women (48.6%), with more men than women, with 47 people in their 20s (44.8%) and those in their 30s or older. There were 58 people (55.2%), most of whom were in their 30s or older. The highest total work experience was 3 to 5 years (37 people (35.2%)). In the pandemic situation, an attempt was made to check the education status of 119 paramedics on COVID-19 and the need for education on new infectious diseases. As a result of the study, the status of education on COVID-19 was insufficient. The demand for education on new infectious diseases was found to be high. Among 119 emergency responders who are frequently exposed to new infectious diseases, theoretical and practical training in personal protective equipment, stress, including theoretical training, is needed. A theoretical and practical education program on new infectious diseases and personal protective equipment should be developed as a subject for college students before becoming EMT.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.329-338
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to develop an infection control e-learning training program for long-term care facility care workers to prevent emerging infectious diseases and evaluate its effectiveness. Method: The program was developed using the analysis design development implementation evaluation (ADDIE) model. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated for 30 care workers. The knowledge and performance of the care workers before and after the program were analyzed by a t-test. Results: In the analysis stages, a literature review on infection control, knowledge and performance of infection control, and education needs was performed, and focus group interviews with ten care workers were conducted. In the design stage, education topics, educational content, and educational methods were selected for the program. A video was produced centered on eight themes. In the development stage, a system for education was developed, and each topic was uploaded. In the implementation stage, the program was applied to 30 care workers, and a questionnaire was administered. In the program's final evaluation, there was a significant difference in infection control knowledge (t=3.06, p=.005), and there was no significant difference in infection control performance. Conclusion: In this study, the necessary topics were finally selected by quantitatively and qualitatively analyzing the educational needs of care workers taking care of the elderly in long-term care facilities. It is necessary to understand the long-term effect and the degree of performance of the observation method in the future.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.525-529
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• 2009

Cytolethal distending toxins (CDTs) represent an emerging family of newly described bacterial products that are produced by a number of pathogens. The genes encoding these toxins have been identified as a cluster of three adjacent genes, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC, plus 5 cdt genetic variants, designated as cdt-I, cdt-II, cdt-III, cdt-IV, and cdt-V, have been identified to date. In this study, a general multiplex PCR system designed to detect Escherichia coli cdts was applied to investigate the presence of cdt genes among isolates. As a result, among 366 E. coli strains, 2.7% were found to carry the cdtB gene. In addition, the use of type-specific primers revealed the presence of cdt-I, cdtIV, and cdt-V types of the cdt gene, yet no cdt-II or cdt-III strains. The presence of other virulence genes (stxl, stx2, eae, bfp, espA, espB, and espD) was also investigated using a PCR assay. Among the 10 cdtB gene-positive strains, 8 were identified as COT-producing typical enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) strains ($eae^+$, $bfp^+$), whereas 2 were identified as CDT-producing atypical EPEC strains ($eae^+$, $bfp^-$). When comparing the cytotoxic activity of the CDT-producing typical and atypical EPEC strains, the CDT-producing atypical EPEC strains appeared to be less toxic than the CDT-producing typical EPEC strains.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.61-70
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• 2021

This study is a descriptive research study to identify differences in awareness and practice of emerging infectious diseases, ethical awareness, ethical decision-making, and the effect on ethical decision-making among nurses and nursing students. 179 data were collected for nursing students and nurses in K city from August 20 to September 10, 2020. As a result of the study, there was a statistically significant difference between nursing students and nurses only in decision-making related to the principle of justice among ethical decision-making, and it was found that ethical education experience (𝛽=0.18, p=.013) influenced ethical decision-making. Based on the research results, it is suggested to develop a simulation-centered convergent ethics education program to improve ethical decision-making and provide regular education.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2012

Germanium biotite, a natural mineral, has been used as a feed supplement to reinforce innate immune ability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of germanium biotite on the adsorptive and inhibition of growth abilities against Escherichia (E.) coli and Salmonella spp. in vitro. Two strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli and four strains of two Salmonella serotypes (Salmonella Derby and Salmonella Typhimurium), major bacterial diarrheal pathogens, were used for this experiment. The absorptive ability of germanium biotite against most Salmonella used in present experiment was observed weakly. The germanium biotite, however, showed significant effect of bacterial growth inhibition in most experiment bacteria. These results suggest that the use of the germanium biotite as feed supplement could alleviate diarrhea following inhibition of bacteria growth. It is also presumed that antibiotics usage for farm animals, considered as causes of antibiotic residue in meat and emerging antibiotic resistance, could be reduced through the use of germanium biotite as a feed supplement, in place of antibiotics used for the prevention of diarrhea.