• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.251-258
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• 1996

The V3 loop, a hypervariable domain of envelope glycoprotein, has an essential role in viral infectivity and has a major epitope for type-specific neutralizing antibody. In order to investigate genetic diversity of V3 region of gp120 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolated from Korean patients, DNA sequences encoding the C2 to V3 region were amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 15 HIV-1 seropositive patients and nucleotide sequences were determined. All nucleotide sequences from fifteen patients were compared with 8 distinctive subtypes (A-H) and another subtype O. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out with PHYLIP ver 3.5 (Dnapars) program. Of the 15 isolates, 14 HIV-1 subjects were clustered with subtype B, while one was clustered with subtype C. Intra-subtype B distance at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid level were maximum 17.7% and 37.0%, respectively. Intra-patient distance at the nucleotide and deduced amino acid level were maximum 7.3% and 17.8%, respectively. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences revealed that Korean types have relatively well conserved sequences. These findings could be useful for assessing the source of infection and developing an AIDS vaccine.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2018

Background: Insufficient training in infection control and occupational health among healthcare workers (HCWs) in countries with high human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) burdens requires attention. We examined the effectiveness of a 1-year Certificate Program in Occupational Health and Infection Control conducted in Free State Province, South Africa in an international partnership to empower HCWs to become change agents to promote workplace-based HIV and TB prevention. Methods: Questionnaires assessing reactions to the program and Knowledge, Attitudes, Skills, and Practices were collected pre-, mid-, and postprogram. Individual interviews, group project evaluations, and participant observation were also conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Qualitative data were thematically coded and analyzed using the Kirkpatrick framework. Results: Participants recruited (n = 32) were mostly female (81%) and nurses (56%). Pre-to-post-program mean scores improved in knowledge (+12%, p = 0.002) and skills/practices (+14%, p = 0.002). Preprogram attitude scores were high but did not change. Participants felt empowered and demonstrated attitudinal improvements regarding HIV, TB, infection control, and occupational health. Successful projects were indeed implemented. However, participants encountered considerable difficulties in trying to sustain improvement, due largely to lack of pre-existing knowledge and experience, combined with inadequate staffing and insufficient management support. Conclusion: Training is essential to strengthen HCWs' occupational health and infection control knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices, and workplace-based training programs such as this can yield impressive results. However, the considerable mentorship resources required for such programs and the substantial infrastructural supports needed for implementation and sustainability of improvements in settings without pre-existing experience in such endeavors should not be underestimated.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.337-347
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• 2014

There is no known publication about assessment of quality of life (QOL) in Korean HIV patients. We aimed to assess the QOL of HIV patients. We developed Korean version of the WHOQOL-HIV BREF (short forms of WHOQOL-HIV, 31 questions with 6 domains). Survey data from 220 HIV-positive adults were obtained in 14 centers in South Korea. Male were dominant (202/220, 91.8%). Mean age was $40.6{\pm}12.1$. Mean CD4+ T-cell count was $414.9{\pm}226.6/ml$. Overall of WHOQOL-HIV BREF were $53.2{\pm}14.9$ (perfect score=100) (Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ = 0.942). It is similar score comparing to another country (Portugal: 54.75/100, measured by WHOQOL-HIV). Correlations of WHOQOL-HIV BREF score with patients' subjective QOL and with subjective satisfaction were 0.747 (p <0.01) and 0.651 (p <0.01), respectively. WHOQOL-HIV BREF have internal reliability. There is in need of monitoring for QOL of HIV patients in the clinical practice and trials. This survey tool could be used to assess the effect of intervention. Additionally, comparison across countries would be possible and promising.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2004

For the purpose of developing new anti-HIV agents from natural sources, the extracts of Solanum nigrum L. were tested for their inhibitory effects on HIV-1 replication and its essential enzymes as the reverse transcriptase (RT), protease and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. In the assay of HIV-1-infected human T-cell line, water extracts inhibited the HIV- 1 -induced cytopathic effects with IC (inhibitory concentration) of 100 ug/ml. Moreover water extracts (100ug/ml) of aerial parts showed strong activity of 32.6% on anti-HIV-1 PR using the activity of the enzyme to cleave an oligopeptide. In the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition assay, aqueous extract a inhibited 17.4%, but no glucosidase inhibitory activities. We found out this result, for these samples it is possible that the inhibition of the viral replication in vitro is due to the inhibition at least one of PR and RT. It would be of great interest to identify the compounds which are responsible for this inhibition, since all therapeutically useful agent up to date are PR, RT and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitors.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.277-281
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• 2008

HIV affects many organ systems. Patients with HIV infection have substantially increased risk of developing various cancers, primarily by opportunistic infection with oncogenic viruses due to their immunocompromised status. However, extensive evidence also indicates that the viral protein, Tat itself, may playas a major factor in the development of AIDS-related neoplasms. The molecular mechanism underlying Tat's oncogenic activity may include deregulation of cellular genes. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effect of HIV-l Tat on CD99 as one of the target cellular genes, which is a well-known tumor marker in several cancers. By using established HeLa clones that are stably expressing Tat, we found that CD99 is upregulated by endogenous Tat, whereas STAT3 is down regulated. Upon the screening of genes differentially expressed between Tat-stable cells and the control cells by using the gene fishing technique, DEG, we detected 3 genes which expression is affected by the presence of Tat. Furthermore, the methylation specific PCR analysis of the stably Tat expressing cell lines revealed that the CD99 promoter is de methylated in the presence of Tat. Taken together, these results open a potential role of CD99 in AIDS-related oncogenesis via epigenetic regulation by HIV-1 Tat.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.277-277
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• 1994

Human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1 )은 복사에 필수적인 전사촉진단질유전자인 tat를 가지고 있다. 우리는 유전자 재조합기법을 사용하여 tat 유전자와 nef 유전자가 결핍된 HIV-1을 제조하였다. nef, tat-결핍 HIV-1 은 C $D_4$$^{+T}$ 세포에서 전혀 복제를 하지 못하였다. 반면, tat 단백질을 발현하도록 만들어진 재조합 Jurkat-tat세포에서는 복제능력을 다시 회복함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 nef, tat-결핍 바이러스를 Jurkat-tat 세포에서 두달이상 계대배양했을 때, revertant가 전혀 생기지 않았다. 또한, nef, tat- 결핍 HIV-1 에 chloramphenicol acetyltransferase 유전자를 삽입시키고, 이의 발현정도를 측정함으로써 원형바이러스와 마찬가지로 민감하면서도 안전하고 편리하게 바이러스의 복제를 측정할 수 있었다. nef, tat- 결핍 바이러스는 항 HIV-1 제의 활성도를 측정하고자할 때 원형 바이러스의 대용으로 안전하게 사용될 수 있을것이다.다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1103-1108
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• 2009

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-l protein Tat acts as a transcription transactivator that stimulates expression of the infected viral genome. It is released from infected cells and can similarly affect neighboring cells. The nucleocapsid is an important protein that has a related significant role in early mRNA expression, and which contributes to the rapid viral replication that occurs during HIV-1 infection. To investigate the interaction between the Tat and nucleocapsid proteins, we utilized cDNA micro arrays using pTat and flag NC cotransfection in HEK 293T cells and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to validate the micro array data. Four upregulated genes and nine downregulated genes were selected as candidate genes. Gene ontology analysis was conducted to define the biological process of the input genes. A proteomic approach using PathwayStudio determined the relationship between Tat and nucleocapsid; two automatically built pathways represented the interactions between the upregulated and downregulated genes. The results indicate that the up- and downregulated genes regulate HIV-1 replication and proliferation, and viral entry.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.597-603
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• 2001

In the mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of HIV infection described in previous papers, the population under consideration is assumed to be homogeneous community of homosexual males for which the parameter x represents the constant rate at which individual members of the population acquire new sexual partners. This is a gross oversimplification since it is well known that individuals vary widely in their levels of sexual activity and in this papers the heterogeneous model is modified to allow for this variation. The pattern on the epidemic character of HIV, the causative agent of AIDS, was analysed by heterogeneous-mixing model. The computer simulation was performed using real date.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2003

Baicalein and baicalin are flavonoid compounds isolated from medicinal herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Labiatae) and have been known to possess antiviral activities. In the present study, we investigated the in vitro effects of baicalein and baicalin on the three distinctive enzymatic activities of the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) integrase-endonucleolytic, integration, and disintegration activities. Both compounds inhibited the three enzymatic activities in a dose-dependent manner. The 50％ inhibitory concentrations of baicalein and baicalin for endonucleolytic activities of HIV-1 integrase were 4.4$\pm$3.3 and 25.9$\pm$4.0$\mu$M, respectively. In general, baicalein exhibited nearly 6- to 10-fold stronger inhibition than baicalin for the three enzymatic activities. These data demonstrate that baicalein or baicalin can be used as a leading compound to develop anti-AIDS chemotherapeutic agents targeting to the HIV-1 integrase.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.599-604
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• 1999

A highly conserved amino acid, glutamic acid (Glu), present at position 152 in the catalytic domain of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase (IN) protein has been known to be critical for enzymatic function since substitution of Glu 152 with other residues results in a complete loss of enzymatic activities. In order to better understand the role of Glu 152 as a conserved residue in enzymatic action, intragenic second site mutations have been introduced around residue 152 of a mutant IN (E152A), and their biochemical properties were analyzed in terms of enzymatic activities. Disintegration activities were found to be significantly restored in several second site mutant INs, while integration activities were only recovered weakly. However, endonucleolytic activities were not discovered in all the mutant INs. These findings indicate that the second site mutations can partially restore that catalytic structure of the active site disturbed by the E152A mutation and lead to the regaining of integration and disintegration activities. In addition, it is also suggested that endonucleolytic activity requires a more accurate structure of the catalytic site than that for the integration and disintegration activities.