• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oligonol, mainly found in lychee fruit, is an antioxidant polyphenolic compound which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The detailed mechanisms by which oligonol may act as an anti-aging molecule have not been determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: In this study, we evaluated the ability of oligonol to modulate sirtuin (SIRT) expression in human lung epithelial (A549) cells. Oligonol was added to A549 cells and reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial superoxide formation, and p21 protein levels were measured. Signaling pathways activated upon oligonol treatment were also determined by western blotting. Furthermore, the anti-aging effect of oligonol was evaluated ex vivo in mouse splenocytes and in vivo in Caenorhabditis elegans. RESULTS: Oligonol specifically induced the expression of SIRT1, whose activity is linked to gene expression, metabolic control, and healthy aging. In response to influenza virus infection of A549 cells, oligonol treatment significantly up-regulated SIRT1 expression and down-regulated viral hemagglutinin expression. Oligonol treatment also resulted in the activation of autophagy pathways and the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Furthermore, oligonol-treated spleen lymphocytes from old mice showed increased cell proliferation, and mRNA levels of SIRT1 in the lungs of old mice were significantly lower than those in the lungs of young mice. Additionally, in vivo lethality assay revealed that oligonol extended the lifespan of C. elegans infected with lethal Vibrio cholerae. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrated that oligonol may act as an anti-aging molecule by modulating SIRT1/autophagy/AMPK pathways.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.811-823
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• 2021

Objective: Eggshell color is an important indicator of egg quality for consumers, especially for brown eggs. Various factors related to laying hens and their environment affect brown eggshell coloration. However, there have been no studies investigating hepatic functions of laying hens with variable intensity of brown eggshell color. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify potential factors affecting brown eggshell coloration in aged laying hens at the hepatic transcriptomic level. Methods: Five hundred 92-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were screened to select laying hens with different intensity of brown eggshell color based on eggshell color fans. Based on eggshell color scores, hens with dark brown eggshells (DBE; eggshell color fan score = 14.8) and hens with light brown eggshells (LBE; eggshell color fan score = 9.7) were finally selected for the liver sampling. We performed RNA-seq analysis using the liver samples through the paired-end sequencing libraries. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) profiling was carried out to identify their biological meaning by bioinformatics. Results: A total of 290 DEGs were identified with 196 being up-regulated and 94 being down-regulated in DBE groups as compared to LBE groups. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that these DEGs belong to several biological pathways including herpes simplex infection (toll-like receptor 3 [TLR3], cyclin-dependent kinase 1, etc.) and influenza A (TLR3, radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2, myxovirus [influenza virus] resistance 1, etc.). Genes related to stress response (ceremide kinase like) and nutrient metabolism (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy-kinase 1, methylmalonic aciduria [cobalamin deficiency] cblB type, glycine receptor alpha 2, solute carrier family 7 member 11, etc.) were also identified to be differentially expressed. Conclusion: The current results provide new insights regarding hepatic molecular functions related to different intensity of brown eggshell color in aged laying hens. These insights will contribute to future studies aiming to optimize brown eggshell coloration in aged laying hens.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.43.1-43.13
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 is a contagious disease and had caused havoc throughout the world by creating widespread mortality and morbidity. The unavailability of vaccines and proper antiviral drugs encourages the researchers to identify potential antiviral drugs to be used against the virus. The presence of RNA binding domain in the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be a potential drug target, which serves multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle, especially the viral replication. Since vaccine development might take some time, the identification of a drug compound targeting viral replication might offer a solution for treatment. The study analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of N protein sequence divergence with other 49 coronavirus species and also identified the conserved regions according to protein families through conserved domain search. Good structural binding affinities of a few natural and/or synthetic phytocompounds or drugs against N protein were determined using the molecular docking approaches. The analyzed compounds presented the higher numbers of hydrogen bonds of selected chemicals supporting the drug-ability of these compounds. Among them, the established antiviral drug glycyrrhizic acid and the phytochemical theaflavin can be considered as possible drug compounds against target N protein of SARS-CoV-2 as they showed lower binding affinities. The findings of this study might lead to the development of a drug for the SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease and offer solution to treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• Entomological Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.384-389
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• 2018

Aphis gossypii Glover is an important insect pest that functions as a viral vector and mediates approximately 45 different viral diseases. As part of a strategy for control of A. gossypii, we investigated the functions of genes using RNAi. To this end, a cDNA library was constructed for various genes and for selecting appropriate targets for RNAi mediated silencing. The cDNA library was constructed using the Gateway cloning system with site-specific recombination of bacteriophage ${\lambda}$. It was used to carry out single step cloning of A. gossypii cDNAs. As a result, a cDNA library with a titer of $8.4{\times}10^6$ was constructed. Since the sequences in this library carry att sites, they can be cloned into various binary vectors. This library will be of value for various studies. For later screening of selected genes, it is planned to clone the library into virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vectors, which makes it possible to analyze gene function and allow subsequent transfection of plants. Such transfection experiments will allow testing of RNAi-induced insecticidal activity or repellent activity to A. gossypii, and result in the identification of target genes. It is also expected that the constructed cDNA library will be useful for analysis of gene functions in A. gossypii.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

In December 2019, the first coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19) patient was reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since then, the number of patients who suffered severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 or 2019-nCoV) has increased dramatically in Korea. This new variant virus induces pulmonary diseases, including cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea, dyspnea, and pneumonia. Because SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus, real-time reverse-transcriptase PCR has been used widely to diagnose COVID-19. As the Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC) and Ministry of Food & Drug Safety (MFDS) approved emergency use authorization, clinical specimens collected from COVID-19 patients and even healthy people have been clinically diagnosed by laboratory medicine. Based on a literature search, this paper reviews the epidemiology, symptoms, molecular diagnostics approved by KCDC, a current diagnosis of COVID-19 in the laboratories, the difference between molecular and serological diagnosis, and guidelines for clinical specimens. In addition, the Korean guidelines of biosafety for clinical laboratory scientists are evaluated to prevent healthcare-associated infection. The author's experience and lessons as clinical laboratory scientists will provide valuable insights to protect the domestic and international health community in this COVID-19 pandemic around the world.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2009

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) caused by the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) has an important economic impact on the poultry industry worldwide. This study examined the adjuvant effects of a plasmid encoding chicken interleukin-6 (pcDNA-ChIL-6) and levamisole (LMS) on in ovo prime-boost vaccination using a genetic vaccine (pcDNA-VP243) to prime in chicken followed by a killed-vaccine boost. A pcDNA-VP243 was injected into the amniotic sac alone or in combination with a pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS at embryonation day 18, followed by an intramuscular injection of killed IBD vaccine at 1 week of age. The chicken were orally challenged with very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain at 3 weeks of age and observed for 10 days. No mortality was observed in the groups that received the pcDNA-VP243 alone and pcDNA-VP243 plus pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS compared to 100% mortality in unvaccinated challenge control group. However, as determined by bursal damage (the presence of IBDV RNA, B/B ratio, and lesion score), a pcDNA-VP243 alone group was superior to pcDNA-VP243 plus pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS groups in the protection against post-challenge. These findings suggest that in ovo priming with genetic vaccine and boosting with killed vaccine is an effective strategy for protecting chicken against vvIBDV and the addition of pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS did not enhance protective immunity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.277-290
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• 1987

This paper dealt with etiological studies on the acute fatal disease of Angora rabbits occurring as a group in Korea. The disease was confirmed as an acute infectious disease caused by virus. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The disease produced a high morbidity in the rearing Angora rabbits and a high mortality in the infected rabbits, and was acute. The infected rabbits died soon without premonitory signs after inappetence. The body temperature of the affected rabbits rose to $40^{\circ}C$ and nearly all deaths occurred within 48 hours after inoculation. In many cases a bloody foam was visible from the nostrils after death. According to the progress of the disease the nervous signs, such as ataxia, paralysis of the legs, and torticollis could be recognized in the some cases. Rabbits that had recovered from the disease were severe emaciation, and bristly and sparse hairs. In macroscopical findings, there were hemorrhage and edema of the lung, hemorrhage or hyperemia of the tracheal and broncheal mucosae, appearance of blood-tinged effusion in the respiratory tract. The principal lesions were found in the liver. Usually the lobular necrosis of the liver cells was progressed, and focal necrosis and hemorrhagic spots of various sizes were often observed in the liver. Liver was as a whole pale. In chronic cases, however, there was a slight liver cirrhosis with the atrophy of the parenchymal cells. The other lesions encountered grossly consisted of swelling and petechiae of the kidney, hyperemia and hemorrhage of the spleen, catarrh of the small intestine, and hyperemia of the brain. The urinary bladder contained a lot of turbid urine or bloody urine and urinary cast, and was distended with the urine. In microscopical findings, the most striking lesions occurred in the liver and may be classified as viral hepatitis. The hepatic lesions were initially characterized by progression from periportal to peripheral necrosis of the lobules with the infiltration of mononuclear cells. Focal necrosis of various sizes, hemorrhage and hyperemia were often observed in the hepatic lobules. In chronic cases, there were intensive infiltration of lymphocytes, proliferation of fibroblasts, appearance of plasmal cells, and atrophy of parenchymal cells in the hepatic tissue. Perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and meningitis were seen in the brain and spinal cord. In the kidney, there were acute glomerulonephritis, hemorrhage, necrosis of the uriniferous tubules, and retention of eosinophilic substance within the renal tubules. Proliferation of fibroblasts and infiltration of mono-nuclear cells were found in the interstitial stroma of the kidney in chronic case. There were also hemorrhage and edema in the lung, hyperemia and hemorrhage in the trachea and bronchus, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and focal myocardial necrosis in the heart, hyperemia and hemorrhage in the spleen, vacuolization and desquamation of mucous epithelia in the urinary bladder, catarrhal inflammation of the small intestine, hemorrhage in the adrenal cortex and hyperemia in the other organs. In the electron microscopical findings of the hepatic tissue, crystals of viral particles appeared in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes and the sinusoidal endothelial cells, and the viral particles, were small in size and polygonal. The authors suppose the virus may belong to picornaviridae family of RNA viruses. Also immature virus-like particles, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and destruction of nuclear membrane were seen in the hepatocytes. From these results, it is concluded that the sudden death is an acute viral disease characterized by hepatitis and the affected rabbits may be died of viremia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2014

Superoxide dismutase is a family of important antioxidant metalloenzymes and catalyzes the dismutation of toxic superoxide anions into dioxygen and hydrogen peroxide. A recent study identified the partial superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). The same study reported that it strongly induced benzo[a]pyrene and that it was an indicator of aquatic oxidative stress responses. However, its transcriptional response against viral infection has not been investigated. In the present study, the spatial and temporal expression profiles were analyzed to investigate the function of Of-SOD in the antiviral response. The Of-SOD transcripts were ubiquitously detected at various levels in diverse tissues in a real-time PCR. The expression of Of-SOD was significantly higher in the muscles, liver, and brain but extremely low in the stomach and spleen. Following a VHSV challenge, the expression of Of-SOD increased within 3 h in the kidneys and decreased to the original level 2 days postchallenge. In muscle, liver, and brain, Of-SOD mRNA was similarly up-regulated at 3-6 h postchallenge and then decreased to the basal level. Although the expression pattern and induction time differed slightly depending on the tissue, the transcript of Of-SOD consistently increased in the acute infection response, but the expression was low in the chronic response. The expression of Of-SOD was induced after the VHSV infection, and Of-SOD was probably involved in the immune response against the viral challenge. These results suggest that SOD may play important roles in the immune defense system of P. olivaceus and perhaps contribute to the protective effects against oxidative stress in olive flounder.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.228-235
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• 1999

Objectives: Despite the importance of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) transmission through heterosexual contact, the features of heterosexual transmission has not been well studied in Korea. So we conducted a cross sectional study to determine the transmission rates in married couples and assess risk factors for male to female heterosexual transmission of HIV. Methods: 169 HIV-infected males and their female sex partners were recruited from 1985 to tune 1998. We examined female sex partner's HIV infection status and interviewed male index partners and their female sex partners about demographic characteristics and sexual practices. We analysed heterosexual transmission rate by epidemiologic characteristics, disease status and sexual practices. And we assessed risk factors for HIV infection by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 30 female sex partners were infected at enrollment, yielding an transmission rate of 17.8%. Among couples who had used condoms consistently, none of the female sex partners was infected with HIV. In univariate analysis the significant risk factors were full blown AIDS status (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.49-11.43) and low CD4 T cell count of index partners at enrollment (OR=7.8, 95% CI: 2.19-27.80). In multivariate analysis HIV-1 RNA levels was significant risk factor when adjusted by CD4 T cell courts and mean sexual contacts per month (OR=19.2, 95% CI: 1.03-357.59) Conclusion: The risk of male to female heterosexual transmission increased with advanced stages of HIV infection in the index male partners.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2003

Background: One of the important factors in the prognosis of chronic hepatitis B patient is the degree of replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV). It has been known that HBV DNA polymerase plays the essential role in the replication of HBV. HBV DNA polymerase is composed of four domains, TP (Terminal protein), spacer, RT (Reverse transcriptase) and RNaseH. Among these domains, tyrosine, the $65^{th}$ residue of TP is an important residue in protein-priming reaction that initiates reverse transcription. If monoclonal antibody that recognizes around tyrosine residue were selected, it could be applied to further study of HBV replication. Methods: To produce TP-specific scFv (single-chain Fv) by phage display, mice were immunized using synthetic TP-peptide contains $57{\sim}80^{th}$ amino acid residues of TP domain. After isolation of mRNA of heavy-variable region ($V_H$) and light-chain variable region ($V_L$) from the spleen of the immunized mouse, DNA of $V_H$ and $V_L$ were obtained by RT-PCR and joined by a DNA linker encoding peptide (Gly4Ser)3 as a scFv DNA fragments. ScFv DNA fragments were cloned into a phagemid vector. scFv was expressed in E.coli TG1 as a fusion protein with E tag and phage gIII. To select the scFv that has specific affinity to TP-peptide from the phage-antibody library, we used two cycles of panning and colony lift assay. Results: The TP-peptide-specific scFv was isolated by selection process using TP-peptide as an antigen. Selected scFv had 30 kDa of protein size and its nucleotide sequences were analyzed. Indirect- and competitive-ELISA revealed that the selected scFv specifically recognized both TP-peptide and the HBV DNA polymerase. Conclusion: The scFv that recognizes the TP domain of the HBV DNA polymerase was isolated by phage display.