• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.997-1006
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• 2018

As shown during the 2009 pandemic H1N1 (A(H1N1)pdm09) outbreak, egg-based influenza vaccine production technology is insufficient to meet global demands during an influenza pandemic. Therefore, there is a need to adapt cell culture-derived vaccine technology using suspended cell lines for more rapid and larger-scale vaccine production. In this study, we attempted to generate a high-growth influenza vaccine strain in MDCK cells using an A/Puerto/8/1934 (H1N1) vaccine seed strain. Following 48 serial passages with four rounds of virus plaque purification in MDCK cells, we were able to select several MDCK-adapted plaques that could grow over $10^8PFU/ml$. Genetic characterization revealed that these viruses mainly had amino acid substitutions in internal genes and exhibited higher polymerase activities. By using a series of Rg viruses, we demonstrated the essential residues of each gene and identified a set of high-growth strains in MDCK cells ($PB1_{D153N}$, $M1_{A137T}$, and $NS1_{N176S}$). In addition, we confirmed that in the context of the high-growth A/PR/8/34 backbone, A/California/7/2009 (H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2), and A/environment/Korea/deltaW150/2006 (H5N1) also showed significantly enhanced growth properties (more than $10^7PFU/ml$) in both attached- and suspended-MDCK cells compared with each representative virus and the original PR8 vaccine strain. Taken together, this study demonstrates the feasibility of a cell culture-derived approach to produce seed viruses for influenza vaccines that are cheap and can be grown promptly and vigorously as a substitute for egg-based vaccines. Thus, our results suggest that MDCK cell-based vaccine production is a feasible option for producing large-scale vaccines in case of pandemic outbreaks.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1213-1227
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• 2023

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a prevalent obstetric condition. This study aimed to investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in regulating the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR. An FGR animal model was established in rats, and ODN1668 and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were administered. Changes in gut microbiota structure were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. HTR-8/Svneo cells were treated with ODN1668 and HCQ to evaluate cell growth. Histopathological analysis was performed, and relative factor levels were measured. The results showed that FGR rats exhibited elevated levels of TLR9 and myeloid differentiating primary response gene 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TLR9 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion. TLR9 upregulated lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS-binding protein (LBP), interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α while downregulating IL-10. TLR9 activated the TARF3-TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed HCQ reduced inflammation in FGR rats, and the relative cytokine expression followed a similar trend to that observed in vitro. TLR9 stimulated neutrophil activation. HCQ in FGR rats resulted in changes in the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group at the family level and the abundance of Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group and Bacteroides at the genus level. TLR9 and associated inflammatory factors were correlated with Bacteroides, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group. FMT from FGR rats interfered with the therapeutic effects of HCQ. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TLR9 regulates the inflammatory response and gut microbiota structure in FGR, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of FGR and suggesting potential therapeutic interventions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2017

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which plays a major role in the etiology of human dental caries, is able to tolerate exposure to acid shock in addition to its acidogenicity. We investigated the effects of pH stress on membrane fluidity, activities and expression levels of F-ATPase, and proton permeability in S. mutans. Using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, we observed membrane ordering at pH 4.8 and pH 8.8. The ordering effects were larger at pH 4.8 in cytoplasmic membranes isolated from S. mutans (CMSM). Increasing pH resulted in a decrease in the activities and expression levels of F-ATPase. The proton permeability was decreased at both acidic and alkaline pHs, and the lowest permeability was observed at pH 4.8. The lower permeability at pH 8.8 than pH 6.8 is likely to be caused by the decreased proton influx due to the decreased CMSM fluidity. In addition, it seems to be evident that extremely low permeability at pH 4.8 was caused by the decreased proton influx due to the decreased CMSM fluidity as well as the increased proton efflux due to the increased activity and expression level of F-ATPase. It is likely that CMSM fluidity and F-ATPase activity are two major key factors that determine proton permeability in S. mutans. We suggest that CMSM fluidity plays an important role in the determination of proton permeability, which sheds light on the possibility of using nonspecific membrane fluidizers, e.g., ethanol, for anti-caries purposes.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2009

Halitosis is a generally accepted marker of diseases in the oral cavity and of systemic and gastrointestinal disorders. Based on these authors' previous findings (that (1) there is a close association between H. pylori infection and halitosis; (2) Korea red ginseng may suppress the colonization of H. pylori, fight H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity, and impose significant anti-inflammatory actions in patients with chronic gastritis; and (3) H. pylori infection is linked with the generation of significant levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), and the levels of VSCs correlate significantly with H. pylori-associated mucosal damages), in the current study, the authors documented the molecular mechanisms of Korea red ginseng's efficacy in ameliorating halitosis. When the RAW 264.7 cells were treated with the $H_2S$ releasing compound NaHS, the mRNA expression of cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase (CSE), IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS were more significantly induced compared with the vehicle-treated group. The cytoskeletal components of ezrin's and moesin's mRNA expressions were elevated by NaHS treatment accompanied by the activation of MAPK, p38, and ERK. Korea red ginseng pretreatment reduced both the NaHS-induced CSE expression and the proinflammatory genes (e.g., IL-6, COX-2, and iNOS) in a concentration-dependent manner. The ERM expression and the phosphorylation of p38 were also significantly reduced by Korea-red-ginseng pretreatment. Overall, Korea red ginseng pretreatment imposed significant anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of the NaHS-triggered proinflammatory gene expression, CSE, and ERM mRNA expression. Korea red ginseng could thus be said to be a key remedy of halitosis and to be effective in relieving gastric inflammation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1416-1422
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• 2008

In order to examine anti-inflammatory effect of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (AR) alcohol extract on rheumatoid arthritis, the present study investigated the viability and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in Raw264.7 cells treated with AR and collagen induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice which were orally administered with AR prior to immunization. The results are as follows: AR extract at 20 and 50${\mu}g$/ml inhibited the viability of Raw264.7 by 35% and 79%, respectively. AR showed a significant decrease in TNF-${\alpha}$ levels from Raw264.7 cells treated with LPS. AR administration significantly decreased arthritic index in DBA/1J mice immunized with bovine collagen type II. AR administration significantly decreased spleen weights obtained from mice in 6 weeks after immunization. AR administration significantly decreased serum anti-type II collagen antibody levels compared with control group. AR administration decreased serum IL-6 levels compared with control group but it did not reach statistical significance.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.207-212
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• 2017

Infections of Toxoplasma gondii and Babesia microti are reported in many wild animals worldwide, but information on their incidence and molecular detection in Korean wild fields is limited. In this study, the prevalence of T. gondii and B. microti infection in blood samples of 5 animal species (37 Chinese water deer, 23 raccoon dogs, 6 roe deer, 1 wild boar, and 3 Eurasian badgers) was examined during 2008-2009 in Gangwon-do (Province), the Republic of Korea (=Korea) by using serological and molecular tests. The overall seropositivity of T. gondii was 8.6% (6/70); 10.8% in Chinese water deer, 4.3% in raccoon dogs, and 16.7% in roe deer. PCR revealed only 1 case of T. gondii infection in Chinese water deer, and phylogenic analysis showed that the positive isolate was practically identical to the highly pathogenetic strain type I. In B. microti PCR, the positive rate was 5.7% (4/70), including 2 Chinese water deer and 2 Eurasian badgers. Phylogenetic analysis results of 18S rRNA and the ${\beta}$-tubulin gene showed that all positive isolates were US-type B. microti. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. microti detected in Chinese water deer and Eurasian badger from Korea. These results indicate a potentially high prevalence of T. gondii and B. microti in wild animals of Gangwon-do, Korea. Furthermore, Chinese water deer might act as a reservoir for parasite infections of domestic animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.229-235
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• 2004

To characterize the recent outbreaks of canine distemper (CD) in Korea, we carried out epidemiological investigations by clinical observations, serum neutralizing (SN) antibody titer determination and RT-PCR on the 315 dogs which were clinically suspected as canine distemper virus (CDV) infection. One hundred and sixty two of 315 dogs were infected with CDV. Breed or gender did not seem to have effects on the prevalence of CD. The major part of dogs were in young age from 6 weeks to 18 weeks of age, and were not vaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. Clinical signs of dogs with CD were multi systemic and extremely variable. Dogs died from CD had significantly more ocular signs and neurologic signs than those of dogs survived (p<0.05). The SN titers against CDV of 157 (96.9%) dogs were under 1:16, which is less than protective level. One possible explanation for recent outbreaks of CD in Korea might be low antibody titers against CDV because of vaccination failure. Therefore, to reduce the impact of virulent infection in the dog population, dogs should be vaccinated adequately and prophylactic measures should include isolation of young dogs from the dog population until vaccination can be expected to provide protection.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2010

Canine coronavirus (CCV) is a cause of sporadic outbreaks of enteritis in dogs. This study was performed to carry out epidemiological investigation on the recent outbreaks of CCV enteritis of dogs and determined the potential prognostic factors affecting the survival of dogs. The 131 (34.4%) out of 381 fecal samples collected from dogs with enteritis were positive for CCV by RT-PCR. The fecal samples contained genotype I (30.5%), genotype II (29.0%), and both genotypes (40.5%) of CCV. The majority of dogs with CCV infection ranged 6-18 weeks of age. Age over 18 weeks was significantly associated with higher survival rate (P < 0.05). Of the clinical signs examined, dogs without anorexia were significantly higher survival rate (P < 0.01). The 90.1% of dogs with CCV infection were co-infected by CCV and CPV-2. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that CCV infection is widespread in the Korean dog population and CCV may be attributed to be one of the important agents causing enteritis in pups.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2007

목적 : Signal transducers and activators of transcription 6 (Stat 6) 유전자는 면역세포의 발달에 있어서 중요한 유전인자이며, IL-4와 같은 사이토카인에 의해 유전자 발현이 조절된다. 본 연구에서는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐와 정상 (wild type, W/T) 생쥐에 carrageenan으로 염증을 유도한 후 족삼리에 침치료를 시행하여 시상하부에서의 유전자 발현 양상을 분석하고자 하였다. 방 법 : BALB/c (W/T, n=12) and BALB/c-Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 (n=12)의 발뒤꿈치 표피에 1% carrageenan을 30 ul 주사하여 염증을 유도하였다. 침은 염증 유도 30분 후에 족삼리(ST36)에 시침하였으며, 염증유도에 의한 부종 증가율을 매 시간마다 측정하여 총 5시간동안 측정하였다. 마이크로에러이는 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐를 염증 유발 군과 염증유발 후 침을 처치한 군으로 나누고, 시상하부를 적출하여 RNA를 분리한뒤 마이크로어레이 프로파일을 분석하였다. 결 과 : 염증에 의한 부종증가율을 비교한 결과, Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 그룹의 부종증가율이 W/T 생쥐의 부종 증가율보다 약 50 % 정도 감소하였으며, 각 3, 4, 5시간째에 유의한 차이를 나타내었다. (각 p<0.05). W.T생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐군 모두에서, 침 처치군이 염증 유발 군에 비해, 염증 유발 2시간 후부터 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 시상하부의 유전자 발현을 관찰한 결과, 39개의 유전자가 3배 이상 감소하였으며, 19개의 유전자는 3배 이상 증가하였다. 결 론 : W/T 생쥐군과 Stat 6 유전자 제거 생쥐 모두에서 침의 진통효과는 나타나며, 이의 기전에는 시상하부에서의 침 치료에 의한 염증관련 유전자들의 감소와, 항염증과 관련된 유전자들이 증가가 관여하는 것으로 보인다., 10, 11), 내측전완피신경(TE5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 후상완피신경(TE12, 13), 상외측상완피신경(TE13), 외측쇄골상신경(TE14, 15),대이개신경(TE16, 17, 18, 19), 소후두신경(TE19, 20), 이개측두신경(TE20, 21, 22), 안면신경측두지(TE22, 23), 관골측두신경(TE23), 중층에 견갑상신경(TE15), 견갑배신경(TE15), 경상설골근신경(TE17), 후이개신경(TE18, 19, 20), 안면신경측두지(TE20, 21, 22), 심층에 후골간신경(TE5, 6, 7), 요골신경심지(TE8, 9, 12, 13), 견갑상신경(TE14), 액와신경가지(TE14), 부신경(TE16), 안면신경과 부신경가지(TE17), 설인신경(TE17), 설하신경(TE17), 경신경고리(TE17), 미주신경(TE17), 안면신경 (TE18). 3) 혈(血) 관(管) : 천층에 척측정맥배측지(TE1, 2), 고유수장지동맥배측지(TE1), 배측중수골동맥배측지(TE2), 배측중수골정맥(TE3), 척측피정맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), 배측정맥궁(TE4), 부요측피정맥(TE6, 8, 9),요측피정맥(TE10, 11), 후견봉정맥가지(TE13, 14), 후이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE16, 17, 18, 19, 20), 전이개동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE20), 천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE22, 23), 중층에 후상완회선동맥(TE14), 견갑배동맥(TE15), 견갑상동맥(TE15),천측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE21), 관골측두동 ${\cdot}$ 정맥(TE23), 심층에 배측중수골동맥(TE3), 배측수근동맥궁(TE4), 후골간동맥(TE4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), 전골간동맥(TE6, 7, 9)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1348-1357
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• 2009

Purpose:The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics and determine the changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis. Methods:Serological examinations of 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis were performed prospectively. Peripheral blood from the patients was used to compare the composition of T cell subsets, cytokines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes with those in 10 healthy children. Results:Mean age of the patient group was $5.7{\pm}3.4$ (range, 3-9) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fever, sore throat, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and cervical lymph node enlargement were the most common symptoms and signs. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ suppressor cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). The IL-2, IL-6, and interferon $(INF)-{\gamma}$ levels were higher in the early symptomatic period (P<0.01). Mean amount of EBV DNA in the patients was $10^{2.38}copies/{\mu}g$, and the amount was the highest at the beginning of the symptomatic period and normalized during the convalescent phase. Bcl-2 expression increased during the initial phase, while Bax expression increased during the convalescent phase. Further, FasL expression increased 1 week after symptom presentation and decreased during the convalescent phase. There was no significant change in Fas expression. Conclusion:We analyzed the clinical characteristics and changes in the expression ofcytokines and apoptosis-related genes in the patients with infectious mononucleosis.