• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.5.1-5.5
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• 2020

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses have caused severe respiratory disease and death in poultry and human beings. Although most of the avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are of low pathogenicity and cause mild infections in birds, some subtypes including hemagglutinin H5 and H7 subtype cause HPAI. Therefore, sensitive and accurate subtyping of AIV is important to prepare and prevent for the spread of HPAI. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can analyze the full-length sequence information of entire AIV genome at once, so this technology is becoming a more common in detecting AIVs and predicting subtypes. However, an analysis pipeline of NGS-based AIV sequencing data, including AIV subtyping, has not yet been established. Here, in order to support the pre-processing of NGS data and its interpretation, we developed a user-friendly tool, named prediction of avian influenza virus subtype (PAIVS). PAIVS has multiple functions that support the pre-processing of NGS data, reference-guided AIV subtyping, de novo assembly, variant calling and identifying the closest full-length sequences by BLAST, and provide the graphical summary to the end users.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.278-283
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• 2014

In this study, we propose an immunosensor using zinc oxide nanorods (NRs) inside PDMS channel for detecting the influenza A virus subtype H7N9. ZnO with high isoelectric point (IEP, ~9.5) makes it suitable for immobilizing proteins with low IEP. In this proposed H7N9 immunosensor structure ZnO NRs were grown on the PDMS channel inner surface to immobilize H7N9 capture antibody. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with was used 3,3',5,5' tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) for detecting H7N9 influenza virus. The immunosensor was evaluated by amperometry at various H7N9 influenza antigen concentrations (1 pg/ml - 1 ng/ml). The redox peak voltage and current were measured by amperometry with ZnO NWs and without ZnO NWs inside PDMS channel. The measurement results of the H7N9 immunosensor showed that oxidation peak current of TMB at 0.25 V logarithmically increased from 2.3 to 3.8 uA as the H7N9 influenza antigen concentration changed from 1 pg/ml to 1 ng/ml. And then we demonstrated that ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel can improve the sensitivity of immunosensor to compare non-ZnO NRs inside PDMS channel.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.145-152
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• 2009

Novel influenza A virus, subtype H1N1 of swine-lineage, has been transmitted rapidly to many regions of the world. Rapid detection of the virus is essential to instigate appropriate patient care and public health management and for disease surveillance. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in Korea using reverse-transcription real time polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Novel H1N1 virus was detected in a total of 8,948 nasopharyngeal samples from patients with influenza-like illness throughout Korea from August to September 2009. RNA was extracted from $300{\mu}l$of sample using an RNA extraction kit (Zymo Research, CA, USA). In the present study, Genekam kit (Genekam, Duisburg, Germany) was used to detect novel H1N1 virus. Novel H1N1 virus was found in 1,130 samples from a total of 8,948 samples (12.6%). The highest frequency was found in 10- to 19-year-olds (M: 29.3% vs. F: 16.4%), followed by 20- to 29-year-olds (M: 17.9% vs. F: 15.4%), 40- to 49-year-olds (M: 6.5% vs. F: 8.1%), 50- to 59-year-olds (M: 6.0% vs. F: 5.5%), and 30- to 39-year-olds (M: 4.6% vs. F: 3.8%). The mean positive rate was higher in men than in women (M: 14.7% vs. F: 7.4%). Novel H1N1 virus showed the lowest prevalence in patients over 60 years old. The positive rate increased daily and showed a significant high peak in mid-September 2009. In 19 provinces of Korea, Cheonan (41.1%), Busan (37.3%), Gangneung (33.3%), Jinju (32.1%), Ulsan (24.6%), Deajeon (23.7%) areas showed high frequencies and other provinces were found less than 10% of novel H1N1 virus. Since reverse-transcription real time PCR assay is rapid, accurate, and convenient, it may assist public health laboratories in detecting novel H1N1 virus. Moreover, these data could be useful for the management of patients with influenza-like illness.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.151-159
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• 2016

Nanoparticles have wide-scale applications in various areas, including medicine, chemistry, electronics, and energy generation. Several physical, biological, and chemical methods have been used for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using plants provide advantages over other methods as it is easy, efficient, and eco-friendly. Nanoparticles have been extensively studied as potential antimicrobials to target pathogenic and multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Their applications recently extended to development of antivirals to inhibit viral infections. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles using Cinnamomum cassia (Cinnamon) and evaluated their activity against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H7N3. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UVVis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cinnamon bark extract and its nanoparticles were tested against H7N3 influenza A virus in Vero cells and the viability of cells was determined by tetrazolium dye (MTT) assay. The silver nanoparticles derived from Cinnamon extract enhanced the antiviral activity and were found to be effective in both treatments, when incubated with the virus prior to infection and introduced to cells after infection. In order to establish the safety profile, Cinnamon and its corresponding nanoparticles were tested for their cytotoxic effects in Vero cells. The tested concentrations of extract and nanoparticles (up to 500 μg/ml) were found non-toxic to Vero cells. The biosynthesized nanoparticles may, hence, be a promising approach to provide treatment against influenza virus infections.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.286-295
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• 2016

Cellular replicative senescence is a major contributing factor to aging and to the development and progression of aging-associated diseases. In this study, we sought to determine viral replication efficiency of influenza virus (IFV) and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection in senescent cells. Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) or human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were allowed to undergo numbers of passages to induce replicative senescence. Induction of replicative senescence in cells was validated by positive senescence-associated b-galactosidase staining. Increased susceptibility to both IFV and VZV infection was observed in senescent HBE and HDF cells, respectively, resulting in higher numbers of plaque formation, along with the upregulation of major viral antigen expression than that in the non-senescent cells. Interestingly, mRNA fold induction level of virus-induced type I interferon (IFN) was attenuated by senescence, whereas IFN-mediated antiviral effect remained robust and potent in virus-infected senescent cells. Additionally, we show that a longevity-promoting gene, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), has antiviral role against influenza virus infection. In conclusion, our data indicate that enhanced viral replication by cellular senescence could be due to senescence-mediated reduction of virus-induced type I IFN expression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2013

Multiplex RT-PCR was used to detect respiratory viruses in 5,318 clinical samples referred to the laboratory of a tertiary teaching hospital from December 2006 to November 2010. The acquired data were analyzed with respect to types, ratio, and co-infection trends of infected respiratory viruses. Trends in respiratory viral infection according to sex, age, and period of infection were also analyzed. Of the 5,318 submitted clinical samples, 3,350 (63.0%) specimens were positive for at least one respiratory virus. The infection rates were 15.8% for human rhinovirus, 14.4% for human respiratory syncytial virus A, 9.7% for human respiratory syncytial virus B, 10.1% for human adenovirus, 5.4% for influenza A virus, 1.7% for influenza B virus, 4.7% for human metapneumovirus, 2.3% for human coronavirus OC43, 1.9% for human coronavirus 229E/NL63, 3.7% for human parainfluenza virus (HPIV)-1, 1.1% for HPIV-2, and 5.3% for HPIV-3. The co-infection analysis showed 17.1% of double infections, 1.8% of triple infections. The median age of virus-positive patients was 1.3 years old, and the 91.5% of virus-positive patients were under 10 years old. Human respiratory syncytial virus was the most common virus in children < 5 years of age and the influenza A virus was most prevalent virus in children over 5 years of age. These results help in elucidating the tendency of respiratory viral infections.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.469-473
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• 1999

EA, the water soluble substance, was prepared from the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata (Pers). Karst. Anti-influenza A virus (anti-Flu A) activity of EA was examined of Vero cells by plaque reduction assay in vitro. And the combined antiviral effects fo EA with interferon (IFN) alpha and gamma were examined on the multiplication of Flu A with 50% effective concentration ($EC_50$) of 1.50 mg/ml. The results of combination assay were evaluated by the combination index (CI) that was analysed by the multiple drug effect analysis. The combination of EA with IFN alpha on Flu A showed more potent synergism with CI values of 0.50~0.52 of 50%, 70%, 90% effective levels than that with IFN gamma with CI values of 0.82~0.99.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.403-410
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was to identify the current status of vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus among university students from the fields of nursing and allied health from a local community and verify factors influencing vaccination. Methods: The study included 227 students in the fields of nursing and allied health from a provincial university. Data were obtained from these participants between May 31 and June 11, 2010 by using self-report questionnaires. Results: The rate of vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus for these participants was 14.5%. No difference was observed in this regard between majors and school year. Factors that influence vaccination against this virus included previous vaccination against seasonal influenza and participants’ attitudes toward general vaccination. Conclusion: The results suggest that for effective pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccination of university students from the fields of nursing and allied health, students who have not been vaccinated should be intensively managed. Developing a vaccination program that encourages a positive attitude toward vaccination is recommended.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.512-516
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• 2008

To search for anit-H5N1 influenza virus agent, the anti-viral activity of methanol and aqueous extracts from thirty medicinal plants were examined in this study. The plant material (30 g) was extracted with methanol (300 mL) for 24 hr at room temperature. Methanol extracts were filtered and evaporated, then freeze-dried. Aqueous extracts were prepared with dried plant material (30 g) and hot distilled water (300 mL). After 3 hr, the aqueous extracts were filtered and evaporated, then lyophilized. Extracts prepared from different plants were tested the antiviral activity against influenza viruses [A/vietnam/1194/04 (H5N1)-NIBRG-14] using the hemagglutination (HA) assay. Among the test plants, Asarum sieboldii was found to be a potent inhibitor of H5N1 influenza virus in MDCK cell culture. Virus titers were 7 log, whereas with methanol extract of Asarum sieboldii for 48 hr titers were 3 log, indicating that methanol extract of Asarum sieboldii inhibited the H5N1 influenza viruses from the infected cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.653-658
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• 2012

After the outbreak of the swine-origin influenza A H1N1 virus in April 2009, World Health Organization declared this novel H1N1 virus as the first pandemic influenza virus (2009 pH1N1) of the $21^{st}$ century. To elucidate the characteristics of 2009 pH1N1, the growth properties of A/Korea/01/09 (K/09) was analyzed in cells. Interestingly, the maximal titer of K/09 was higher than that of a seasonal H1N1 virus isolated in Korea 2008 (S/08) though the RNP complex of K/09 was less competent than that of S/08. In addition, the NS1 protein of K/09 was determined as a weak interferon antagonist as compared to that of S/08. Thus, in order to confine genetic determinants of K/09, activities of two major surface glycoproteins were analyzed. Interestingly, K/09 possesses highly reactive NA proteins and weak HA cell-binding avidity. These findings suggest that the surface glycoproteins might be a key factor in the features of 2009 pH1N1.