• Title/Summary/Keyword: Respiratory challenges

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High-throughput Gene Expression Analysis to Investigate Host-pathogen Interaction in Avian Coccidiosis

  • Lillehoj Hyun, S.
    • Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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    • v.34 no.1
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    • pp.77-83
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    • 2007
  • Poultry products including meat and eggs constitute a major protein source in the American diet and disease-causing pathogens represent major challenges to the poultry industry. More than 95% of pathogens enter the host through the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory, digestive and reproductive tracts and over the past few decades, the two main mechanisms used to control diseases have been the use of vaccines and antibiotics. However, in the poultry industry, there are mounting concerns over the ability of current vaccines to adequately protect against emerging hyper-virulent strains of pathogens and a lack of suitable, cost effective adjuvants. Thorough investigation of the immunogenetic responses involved in host-pathogen interactions will lead to the development of new and effective strategies for improving poultry health, food safety and the economic viability of the US poultry industry. In this paper, I describe the development of immunogenomic and proteomic tools to fundamentally determine and characterize the immunological mechanisms of the avian host to economically significant mucosal pathogens such as Eimeria. Recent completion of poultry genome sequencing and the development of several tissue-specific cDNA libraries in chickens are facilitating the rapid application of functional immunogenomics in the poultry disease research. Furthermore, research involving functional genomics, immunology and bioinformatics is providing novel insights into the processes of disease and immunity to microbial pathogens at mucosal surfaces. In this presentation, a new strategy of global gene expression using avian macrophage (AMM) to characterize the multiple pathways related to the variable immune responses of the host to Eimeria is described. This functional immunogenomics approach will increase current understanding of how mucosal immunity to infectious agents operates, and how it may be enhanced to enable the rational development of new and effective strategies against coccidiosis and other mucosal pathogens.

Vibro ordalii, the causative agent of massive mortality in cultured rockfish(Sebastes schlegeli) larvae (양식 조피볼락(Sebastes schlegeli) 치어의 대량폐사 원인인 비브리오병에 관하여)

  • Park, Sung-Woo;Kim, Young-Gill;Choi, Dong-Lim
    • Journal of fish pathology
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.137-145
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    • 1996
  • A specific disease syndrome, which led to massive mortality on larve of rockfish(Sebastes schlegeli) in marine hatcheries at Chungnam area during the period 1995~1996 was studied. The causative agent isolated from the diseased or dead larvae was identified as Vibrio ordalii on the basis of biochemical and biological characteristics. In the experimental challenges aganist 0 and 1 summer fish conducted at two different temperatures as $18^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$, Vibrio ordalii showed higher virulence to no summer fish at $18^{\circ}C$ than 1-summer fish at $25^{\circ}C$. These results were consistent to field data obtained during epizootic outbreaks in the farms. Moribund and died larvae presented telangiectasis of secondary gill lamella and brain, dissecting of respiratory epithelium, atrophy of hepatic cells and necrosis of kidney associated with the presence of the bacteria. But the digestive tissue of these fish showed no significant change.

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Development of Energy Harvesting Technologies Platform for Self-Power Rechargeable Pacemaker Medical Device. (자가발전 심장박동기를 위한 에너지 수확 플랫폼 개발)

  • Park, Hyun-Moon;Lee, Jung-Chul;Kim, Byunng-Soo
    • The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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    • v.14 no.3
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    • pp.619-626
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    • 2019
  • The advances of semiconductor and circuitry technology dovetailed with nano processing techniques have further enhanced micro-miniaturization, sensitivity, longevity and reliability in MID(Medical Implant Device). Nevertheless, one of the remaining challenges is whether power can sufficiently and continuously be supplied for the operation of the MID. Self-powered MID that harvest biomechanical energy from human motion, respiratory and muscle movement are part of a paradigm shift. In this paper, we developed a rechargeable pacemaker through self-power generation with the triboelectric nanogenerator. We demonstrate a fully implanted pacemaker based on an implantable triboelectric nanogenerator, which act as a storage as well as active movement on a large-animal(dog) scale. The self-power pacemaker harvested from animal motion is 2.47V, which is higher than the required pacemaker device sensing voltage(1.35V).

Can Panax ginseng help control cytokine storm in COVID-19?

  • Choi, Jong Hee;Lee, Young Hyun;Kwon, Tae Woo;Ko, Seong-Gyu;Nah, Seung-Yeol;Cho, Ik-Hyun
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.46 no.3
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    • pp.337-347
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    • 2022
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 are directly associated with hyper-activation of innate immune response that excessively produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and induce cytokine storm, leading to multi-organ-failure and significant morbidity/mortality. Currently, several antiviral drugs such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and molnupiravir are authorized to treat mild to moderate COVID-19, however, there are still no drugs that can specifically fight against challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant widely used for treating various conditions, might be appropriate for this need due to its anti-inflammatory/cytokine/viral activities, fewer side effects, and cost efficiency. To review Panax ginseng and its pharmacologically active-ingredients as potential phytopharmaceuticals for treating cytokine storm of COVID-19, articles that reporting its positive effects on the cytokine production were searched from academic databases. Experimental/clinical evidences for the effectiveness of Panax ginseng and its active-ingredients in preventing or mitigating cytokine storm, especially for the cascade of cytokine storm, suggest that they might be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for cytokine storm of COVID-19. This review may provide a new approach to discover specific medications using Panax ginseng to control cytokine storm of COVID-19.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Deformable Image Registration Methods for CT Imaging

  • Kang Houn Lee;Young Nam Kang
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.44 no.5
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    • pp.303-314
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    • 2023
  • This study aimed to assess the practical feasibility of advanced deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms in radiotherapy by employing two distinct datasets. The first dataset included 14 4D lung CT scans and 31 head and neck CT scans. In the 4D lung CT dataset, we employed the DIR algorithm to register organs at risk and tumors based on respiratory phases. The second dataset comprised pre-, mid-, and post-treatment CT images of the head and neck region, along with organ at risk and tumor delineations. These images underwent registration using the DIR algorithm, and Dice similarity coefficients (DSCs) were compared. In the 4D lung CT dataset, registration accuracy was evaluated for the spinal cord, lung, lung nodules, esophagus, and tumors. The average DSCs for the non-learning-based SyN and NiftyReg algorithms were 0.92±0.07 and 0.88±0.09, respectively. Deep learning methods, namely Voxelmorph, Cyclemorph, and Transmorph, achieved average DSCs of 0.90±0.07, 0.91±0.04, and 0.89±0.05, respectively. For the head and neck CT dataset, the average DSCs for SyN and NiftyReg were 0.82±0.04 and 0.79±0.05, respectively, while Voxelmorph, Cyclemorph, and Transmorph showed average DSCs of 0.80±0.08, 0.78±0.11, and 0.78±0.09, respectively. Additionally, the deep learning DIR algorithms demonstrated faster transformation times compared to other models, including commercial and conventional mathematical algorithms (Voxelmorph: 0.36 sec/images, Cyclemorph: 0.3 sec/images, Transmorph: 5.1 sec/images, SyN: 140 sec/images, NiftyReg: 40.2 sec/images). In conclusion, this study highlights the varying clinical applicability of deep learning-based DIR methods in different anatomical regions. While challenges were encountered in head and neck CT registrations, 4D lung CT registrations exhibited favorable results, indicating the potential for clinical implementation. Further research and development in DIR algorithms tailored to specific anatomical regions are warranted to improve the overall clinical utility of these methods.

Pig production in Latin America

  • Luciano Roppa;Marcos Elias Duarte;Sung Woo Kim
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.37 no.4_spc
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    • pp.786-793
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    • 2024
  • Latin America is a culturally, geographically, politically, and economically diverse region. Agriculture in Latin America is marked by a remarkable diversity of production systems, reflecting various agroecological zones, farm sizes, and technological levels. In the last decade, the swine industry increased by 30.6%, emerging as a great contributor to food security and economic development in Latin America. Brazil and Mexico dominate the pig production landscape, together accounting for 70% of sow inventory in the region. The swine industry in Latin America is predominantly comprised of small and medium-sized farms, however, in the past 30 years, the number of pig producers in Brazil dropped by 78%, whereas pork production increased by 326%. Similar to the global pork industry, the growing demand for pork, driven by population growth and changing dietary habits, presents an opportunity for the industry with an expected growth of 16% over the next decade. The export prospects are promising, however subject to potential disruptions from global market conditions and shifts in trade policies. Among the challenges faced by the swine industry, disease outbreaks, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF), present significant threats, necessitating enhanced biosecurity and surveillance systems. In 2023, ASF was reported to the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED) in Mexico, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Ecuador. Additionally, feed costs, supply chain disruptions, and energy expenses have affected mainly the smaller and less efficient producers. The swine industry is also transitioning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, including efficient feed usage, and precision farming. Ensuring long-term success in the swine industry in Latin America requires a holistic approach that prioritizes sustainability, animal welfare, and consumer preferences, ultimately positioning the industry to thrive in the evolving global market.

Gated Conductivity Imaging using KHU Mark2 EIT System with Nano-web Fabric Electrode Interface (나노웹 섬유형 전극 인터페이스와 KHU Mark2 EIT 시스템을 이용한 생체신호 동기 도전율 영상법)

  • Kim, Tae-Eui;Kim, Hyun-Ji;Wi, Hun;Oh, Tong-In;Woo, Eung-Je
    • Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.39-46
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    • 2012
  • Electrical impedance tomography(EIT) can produce functional images with conductivity distributions associated with physiological events such as cardiac and respiratory cycles. EIT has been proposed as a clinical imaging tool for the detection of stroke and breast cancer, pulmonary function monitoring, cardiac imaging and other clinical applications. However EIT still suffers from technical challenges such as the electrode interface, hardware limitations, lack of animal or human trials, and interpretation of conductivity variations in reconstructed images. We improved the KHU Mark2 EIT system by introducing an EIT electrode interface consisting of nano-web fabric electrodes and by adding a synchronized biosignal measurement system for gated conductivity imaging. ECG and respiration signals are collected to analyze the relationship between the changes in conductivity images and cardiac activity or respiration. The biosignal measurement system provides a trigger to the EIT system to commence imaging and the EIT system produces an output trigger. This EIT acquisition time trigger signal will also allow us to operate the EIT system synchronously with other clinical devices. This type of biosignal gated conductivity imaging enables capture of fast cardiac events and may also improve images and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by using signal averaging methods at the same point in cardiac or respiration cycles. As an example we monitored the beat by beat cardiac-related change of conductivity in the EIT images obtained at a common state over multiple respiration cycles. We showed that the gated conductivity imaging method reveals cardiac perfusion changes in the heart region of the EIT images on a canine animal model. These changes appear to have the expected timing relationship to the ECG and ventilator settings that were used to control respiration. As EIT is radiation free and displays high timing resolution its ability to reveal perfusion changes may be of use in intensive care units for continuous monitoring of cardiopulmonary function.

DENTAL TREATMENT OF A PATIENT WITH PIERRE ROBIN SEQUENCE UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA: A CASE REPORT (Pierre Robin Sequence 환아의 전신마취 하 치과 치료 증례 보고)

  • Rhee, Sophia;Song, Ji Soo;Shin, Teo Jeon;Kim, Young-Jae;Kim, Jung-Wook;Jang, Ki-Taeg;Lee, Sang-Hoon;Hyun, Hong-Keun
    • The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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    • v.15 no.1
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    • pp.55-59
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    • 2019
  • Pierre Robin sequence(PRS) is characterized by a triad of clinical signs: micrognathia, glossoptosis and cleft palate. These anatomical deformities of PRS predispose patients to respiratory problems and feeding difficulties at birth. Maintaining oral hygiene and enduring dental treatment are complicated by their general conditions of PRS patients. We present a case of dental treatment of PRS patient under general anesthesia. A 3-year-old boy with PRS visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital for caries treatment. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed multiple carious lesions. Considering the patient's medical condition and compliance of treatment, dental treatment under general anesthesia was decided. Despite expected challenges of managing the airway of the patient, intubation was performed successfully. The patient was treated with pulp treatments and restorations using composite resin and stainless steel crowns. No complications were observed during and after the procedure.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) in Korea: Current Status, Limitation, and Challenges (국내 중증 급성 호흡기 증후군 코로나 바이러스의 검사실 내 진단: 현재, 한계점 그리고 직면한 과제)

  • Song, Gi Seon;Lee, You-Rim;Kim, Sungmin;Kim, Wontae;Choi, Jungwon;Yoo, Dahyeon;Yoo, Jungyoung;Jang, Kyung-Tae;Lee, Jaewang;Jun, Jin Hyun
    • 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.

The Change of Cell Distribution in the lung and the Expression Pattern of IL-4 and IL-10 in Asthma Induced Mouse (천식유발 마우스에서의 폐 내 세포조성 변화와 IL-4 및 IL-10의 발현 양상)

  • Lee, Soo-Jin;Park, Se-Jong;Li, Tian-Zhu;Jang, Yang-Ho;Choe, Nong-Hoon
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.780-787
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    • 2006
  • Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, which characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness, reversible airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms. Internationally, the prevalence of asthma has been increased over last 3 decades. Recently, several studies of asthma have been reported with gradually increasing importance. To tesify the hypothesis that interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 may be an important determinant of the severity of airway inflammation, their expression was studied in mouse model of asthma. BALB/c mouse, IL-4 Knockout (KO) mouse and IL-10 KO mouse were sensitized with intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin adsorbed to aluminum potassium sulfate, followed by challenges with intranasal ovalbumin on 3 consecutive days. The severity of pulmonary inflammation was assessed by eosinophilia in BAL fluid, number of total BAL cells, histopathological changes in lung tissues, and immunohistochemical staining against IL-4 and IL-10. In BAL fluid, the number of total cells was significantly increased in asthma induced mouse compare to the control. In asthma induced mouse, eosinophil was increased to 56% and neutrophil was 0.2%. In H &E stains, eosinophilic infiltration and epithelium hyperplasia were clearly noticed in asthma induced mouse. In immunohistochemical staining for IL-4 and IL-10, there was no positive reaction in control group. However, very strong reactions were appeared in asthma induced group. In this research, IL-4 and IL-10, which seem to play a central role in allergic asthma, KO mouse was utilized to test the causative relationship between airway inflammation and role of specific cytokine. Asthma induced IL-4 and IL-10 KO mice showed much decreased inflammatory reactions in the number of total BAL cells, in eosinophilic infiltration, and in immunohistochemical stains against diverse inflammatory proteins. These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-10 increase the asthmatic reactions in vivo mice model.