• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.413-418
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• 2011

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a hepatic disorder that resembles liver cancer, is a highly aggressive and lethal zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularis is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere; the disease-endemic area stretches from north America through Europe to central and east Asia, including northern parts of Japan, but it has not been reported in Korea. Herein, we represent a first case of AE in Korea. A 41-year-old woman was found to have a large liver mass on routine medical examination. The excised mass showed multinodular, necrotic, and spongiform appearance with small irregular pseudocystic spaces. Microscopically, the mass was composed of chronic granulomatous inflammation with extensive coagulation necrosis and parasite-like structure, which was revealed as parasitic vesicles and laminated layer delineated by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Clinical and histologic features were consistent with AE. After 8 years, a new liver mass and multiple metastatic pulmonary nodules were found and the recurred mass showed similar histologic features to the initial mass. She had never visited endemic areas of AE, and thus the exact infection route is unclear.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.252-257
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• 2005

In single infection of Tobacco mosaic virus-U1 (TMV­U1) or Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), mosaic symptoms were produced on the chili pepper cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun'. However, in cultivars of 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', no symptoms were occurred. In single infection of Pepper mottle virus (PepMoV), symptoms of mottle and malformation were produced on the tested cultivars of 'Manitta', 'Bugang', 'Cheongyang', and 'Wangshilgun'. In the cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun', synergistic symptoms of stunt and lethal death were induced by mixed infections in the two combinations of TMV-U1 + PepMoV and PMMoV+PepMoV. However, in cultivars of 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', synergistic symptoms were not noted, but mottling which was milder than that of single infection was produced. Cells infected singly with TMV-U1 and PMMoV in the cultivars of 'Cheongyang' and 'Wangshilgun', respectively, had the typical ultra-structures of tobamovirus as the stacked-band structure and multiple spiral aggregate (SA). In the cells and tissues infected with PepMoV on the cultivars of 'Cheongyang', 'Wangshilgun', 'Manitta' and 'Bugang', the potyvirus inclusions of pinwheels, scrolls, lamminated aggregates and amorphous inclusion were observed. In the cells infected mixedly with combinations of TMV­U1+PepMoV and PMMoV+PepMoV, the virus particles and inclusions of the two different viruses were found simultaneously in the same cytoplasm. The amounts of virus particles in mixed infections were more abundant than in single infection. The angled-layer aggregates (ALA) were observed only in the cells infected with both TMV-U1 and PepMoV.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2012

$Potato$ $virus$ $X$ (PVX) replication is precisely regulated by regulatory viral sequences and by viral and/or host proteins. In a previous study, we identified a 54-kDa cellular tobacco protein that bound to a region within the first 46 nucleotides (nt) of the 5' non-translated region (NTR) of the viral genome. Optimal binding was dependent upon the presence of an ACCA sequence at nt 10-13. To identify host factors that bind to 5' NTR elements including AC-rich sequences as well as stemloop 1 (SL1), we used northwestern blotting and matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for peptide mass fingerprinting. We screened several host factors that might affect PVX replication and selected a candidate protein, $Nicotiana$ $tabacum$ WRKY transcription factor 1 (NtWRKY1). We used a $Tobacco$ $rattle$ $virus$ (TRV)-based virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system to investigate the role of NtWRKY1 in PVX replication. Silencing of $WRKY1$ in $Nicotiana$ $benthamiana$ caused lethal apical necrosis and allowed an increase in PVX RNA accumulation. This result could reflect the balancing of PVX accumulation in a systemic $N.$ $benthamiana$ host to maintain PVX survival and still produce a suitable appearance of mosaic and mottle symptoms. Our results suggest that PVX may recruit the WRKY transcription factor, which binds to the 5' NTR of viral genomic RNA and acts as a key regulator of viral infection.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2000

This study was carried out to know the optimum dose of gamma-ray for the induction of mutation in vitro and the characteristics of the mutants induced by gamma-ray in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). The LD50 (50% lethal dose) for in vitro shoots of the cultivar, Nishimurawase was between 1 krad and 2 krad and about 1 krad for the cultivar, Ichikikeijiro. As the dose of gamma-ray increased, the length of shoots decreased and necrosis of buds increased. For the cultivar, Nishmurawase, 37.5∼58.3% shoots rooted and the rooting rate and the number of roots per shoot was low in high gamma-ray. The irradiated young plants which were grown in the growth cabinet for 6 weeks were shorter in shoot length and had more branches than non-irradiated plants. The survival rate of irradiated plants grown in the green house for 3 months was 33%, while 77% for control plants.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.719-726
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• 2011

Pediococcus pentosaceus JWS 939 (JWS 939) is a nonpathogenic bacteriocin-producing probiotic isolated from the duck intestine. This study assessed the immunomodulatory effects of JWS 939 and compared them with those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), a well-known immune enhancer. The immune-enhancing effects of JWS 939 were measured by measuring the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages. In addition, to assess the immune enhancement abilities of JWS 939, in vivo, a Listeria monocytogenes challenge mice model was used. The results showed that heat-killed JWS 939 induced more NO and interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ production in mouse peritoneal macrophages than in LGG, and that oral administration of viable JWS 939 in mice increased more NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ level than in LGG in serum upon L. monocytogenes challenge. In addition, mice fed with JWS 939 had a longer survival time after lethal challenge with L. monocytogenes, and these effects were stronger than those induced by LGG. Collectively, P. pentosaceus JWS 939 is a remarkable strain that, by releasing bacteriocin and enhancing host immune responses, may have potential as a duck feed additive to suppress pathogens.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.628-636
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• 2020

Streptococcosis in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus can be caused by Streptococcus parauberis. We compared three routes of administration for experimental injections of the S. parauberis 19FBSPa0003 strain in the olive flounder. Pathological changes were observed during the experimental infection. Inflammation of the serous membrane in the liver, intestine, spleen and heart was the major pathological change found in the infected olive flounder. No mortality was observed in fish that received intraperitoneal (IP) injection at less than 1×10⁴ colony-forming unit (CFU)/fish. The lethal dose 50 for olive flounder, given an intravenous (IV) injection, was 7.94×10⁴ CFU/fish. Fish with a higher concentration of IV injected S. parauberis (1×10⁸ CFU/fish) died within a maximum of two days. However, serious necrosis and bacterial proliferation in ellipsoidal cells of the spleen and heart tissues were found in moribund or dead fish, 1-2 days after IV injection. Similar histopathological signs were observed in olive flounder inoculated by subcutaneous (SC) infected and naturally infected. In addition, SC was also strongly associated with bacteria concentration and cumulative mortality rate. Based on these results, SC is the recommended method for artificial infection by S. parauberis in the olive flounder.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.224-226
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• 2013

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is characterized by a severe idiosyncratic reaction including rash and fever, often with associated hepatitis, arthralgias, lymph node enlargement, or hematologic abnormalities. The mortality rate is approximately 10%, primarily owing to liver failure with massive or multiple disseminated focal necrosis. Here, we report a case of a 14-year-old girl treated with vancomycin because of a wound infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, who presented with non-specific symptoms, which progressed to acute liver failure, displaying the hallmarks of DRESS syndrome. With the presence of aggravated hepatic encephalopathy and azotemia, the patient was refractory to medical treatments, she received a living-donor liver transplantation, and a cure was achieved without any sign of recurrence. Vancomycin can be a cause of DRESS syndrome. A high index of suspicion and rapid diagnosis are necessary not to miss this potentially lethal disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.96-103
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• 2012

In the present study, the inhibitory effect of neem leaf extract (NLE) on lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) production was examined both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro study revealed that NLE treatment ($100{\mu}g/ml$) inhibits LPS (100 ng/ml)-induced NO production by 96% and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by 32%. The reduction in NO production is probably conferred by the complete suppression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Interestingly, in vivo NLE significantly improved the survival rate of mice in an experimental sepsis model. Administration of NLE (100 mg/kg) 24 h before LPS treatment (20 mg/kg) improved the survival rate of mice by 60%. The inhibition of plasma NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ production by NLE is likely to account for the improved survival of mice. Our results suggest that NLE may present a promising avenue in the development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2007

Acute septic shock is one of inflammatory diseases mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$. In this study, we examined the pathological difference and mechanism of lipopolysaccharides isolated from E. coli (E-LPS) or S. abortus (S-LPS) on inducing acute septic shock in ICR mouse. All mice were died by intraperitoneal treatment of S-LPS with 0.75 mg/kg, whereas E-LPS treated with even 3 mg/kg only showed 30% of mice lethal, indicating that S-LPS may be more feasible in triggering a strong septic shock condition. The secretion pattern of TNF-${\alpha}$, a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine in septic shock condition, was also distinct between E-LPS- and S-LPS-treated groups. Thus, S-LPS strikingly increased serum level of TNF-${\alpha}$ (6 ng/ml) at 1 h, while E-LPS just displayed at 2 ng/ml level. However the interaction of S-LPS with LPS receptor toll like receptor (TLR)-4, was not stronger than that of E-LPS, according to experiments with macrophage cell line RAW264.7 cells. Thus, E-LPS rather than S-LPS strongly enhanced the production of TNF-${\alpha}$. Interestingly, S-LPS more strongly up-regulated splenocyte proliferation, compared to E-LPS group, whereas there was no difference between S- or E-LPS treated groups in proliferation of Balb/c- or C57BL/6-originated splenic lymphocytes. Therefore, our data suggest that S-LPS is a more active endotoxin and that the strong septic shock-inducing effect of S-LPS seems due to the enhancement of early TNF-${\alpha}$ production and S-LPS-sensitive lymphocyte proliferation.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2015

Originally, activins were identified as stimulators of FSH release in reproduction. Other activities, including secondary axis formation in development, have since been revealed. Here, we investigated the influence of activin ${\beta}_A$ on the body, including the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. Initially, the activin ${\beta}_A$ protein was detected in the serum proportional to the amount of pCMV-rAct plasmid injected. The induced level of activin ${\beta}_A$ in muscle was higher in female than male mice. Subsequent results revealed that stomach and intestine were severely damaged in pCMV-rAct-injected mice. At the cellular level, loss of parietal cells was observed, resulting in increased pH within the stomach. This phenomenon was more severe in male than female mice. Consistent with damage of the stomach and intestine, activin ${\beta}_A$ often led to necrosis in the tip of the tail or foot, and loss of body weight was observed in pCMV-rAct-injected male but not female mice. Finally, in pCMV-rAct-injected mice, circulating activin ${\beta}_A$ led to death at supraphysiological doses, and this was dependent on the strain of mice used. Taken together, these results indicate that activin ${\beta}_A$ has an important role outside of reproduction and development, specifically in digestion. These data also indicate that activin ${\beta}_A$ must be controlled within a narrow range because of latent lethal activity. In addition, our approach can be used effectively for functional analysis of secreted proteins.