• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• 제50권
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• pp.27-33
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• 2023

Zizyphus jujube is a plant in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) that has been the subject of research into antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties of its fruit and seed. However, few studies have investigated its leaves. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of ZJL (an extract of Z. jujube leaf) was evaluated to verify its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent and SARS-CoV-2 medicine, using nitric oxide (NO) assay, RT-PCR, SDSPAGE, Western blotting, and UHPLC/TOFHRMS analysis. We found that ZJL suppresed pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. ZJL acted by inhibiting NF-KB and MAPK signaling pathway activity. We also confirmed that ZJL contains a phenol compound and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity such as trehalose, maleate, epigallocatechin, hyperoside, catechin, 3-O-coumaroylquinic acid, rhoifolin, gossypin, kaempferol 3-neohesperidoside, rutin, myricitrin, guaiaverin, quercitrin, quercetin, ursolic acid, and pheophorbide a. These findings suggest that ZJL may have great potential for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs and vaccines via inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2024

Predicting the spread of COVID-19 remains a challenge due to the complexity of the disease and its evolving nature. This study presents an integrated approach using the classic SIR model for infectious diseases, enhanced by the chemical master equation (CME). We employ a Monte Carlo method (SSA) to solve the model, revealing unique aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission. The study, a first of its kind in Korea, adopts a step-by-step and complementary approach to model prediction. It starts by analyzing the epidemic's trajectory at local government levels using both basic and stochastic SIR models. These models capture the impact of public health policies on the epidemic's dynamics. Further, the study extends its scope from a single-infected individual model to a more comprehensive model that accounts for multiple infections using the jump SIR prediction model. The practical application of this approach involves applying these layered and complementary SIR models to forecast the course of the COVID-19 epidemic in small to medium-sized local governments, particularly in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The results from these models are then compared and analyzed.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.166-170
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• 2024

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine was developed to provide immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was first reported in 2019. The vaccine has proven to be effective in reducing severity and mortality and preventing infection. Henoch-Schönlein purpura is an autoimmune vasculitis (immunoglobulin A vasculitis). Historically, vaccines have been administered primarily to children, and Henoch-Schönlein purpura has often been reported in children following vaccination. However, since the start of COVID-19 vaccination, an increasing number of cases have been reported in adults. Here, we report a case of a patient who developed hematuria and proteinuria after receiving the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccine. A 22-year-old man presented to the hospital with a lower extremity rash, bilateral ankle pain, and abdominal pain 18 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. The man had no significant medical history and was not taking any medications. Laboratory tests showed normal platelet counts but elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. He was treated with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pheniramine and prednisolone. At 40 days after starting treatment, C-reactive protein levels were within normal limits, and no hematuria was observed. Treatment was terminated when the purpura disappeared. This report is intended to highlight the need for further research to be proactive and carefully monitor for conditions associated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• 제52권11호
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• pp.808-813
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• 2022

Studies showing that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease continue to be published. However, studies on how long the overall cardiovascular risk increases after COVID-19 and the magnitude of its long-term effects have only been confirmed recently. This is partly because the distinction between cardiovascular risk as an acute complication of COVID-19 or post-acute cardiovascular manifestations is ambiguous. Long-COVID has arisen as an important topic in the second half of the pandemic. This term indicates that symptoms persist for more than two 2 months; following three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot be explained by other medical conditions. Despite the agreement of these international organizations and experts, it is difficult to define whether there is sufficient medical evidence to prove the existence of long-COVID. However, the Korean government and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) are preparing a new platform to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19. Using this data, a prospective cohort of 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases will be established. This cohort will be linked with claims data from the National Health Insurance Services (NHIS) and it is expected that increased real-world evidence of long-COVID will be accumulated.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제45권10호
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• pp.738-748
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• 2022

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has posed a serious threat to global public health. A novel vaccine made from messenger RNA (mRNA) has been developed and approved for use at an unprecedented pace. However, an increased risk of myocarditis has been reported after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination due to unknown causes. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell T cell receptor sequencing analyses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to describe, for the first time, changes in the peripheral immune landscape of a patient who underwent myocarditis after BNT162b2 vaccination. The greatest changes were observed in the transcriptomic profile of monocytes in terms of the number of differentially expressed genes. When compared to the transcriptome of PBMCs from vaccinated individuals without complications, increased expression levels of IL7R were detected in multiple cell clusters. Overall, results from this study can help advance research into the pathogenesis of BNT162b2-induced myocarditis.

• 한국식품위생안전성학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.183-188
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• 2003

식중독 원인균인 S. aureus, E. coli O157:H7, S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, L. monocytogenes, 장티프스 원인균 S. typhi, 패혈증 원인균 V. parahaemolyticus, 세균성 이질 원인균 S. sonnei를 $20^{\circ}C$에서 30분간 $그리존^{TM}$과 접촉시킨 결과 최소 3배 희석액부터 최대 24배 희석액에서 최대 24배 희석액에서 균에 대한 살멸 효과를 나타내었다. $그리존^{TM}$ 3배 희석액을 이용하여 30초, 1분, 5분간 균과 접촉시킨 결과 S. aureus만 제외하고 모두 30초에 100% 살멸하는 효과를 나타내었다. $그리존^{TM}$을 이용하여 사스의 원인체와 동일한 바이러스인 코로나 바이러스에 대한 살바이러스 효과를 본 결과 제품의ㅣ 5배 희석액까지 유효간 살바이러스 효과를 보였다. 사람과 접촉이 많은 애완견 바이러스인 파보바이러스 (CPV), 디스템퍼바이러스 (CDV)에 대하여 시험한 결과 유기물과 경수 등의 악조건에서도 바이러스를 살멸하는 효과를 나타내었다. $그리존^{TM}$을 이용한 회와 냉장육 등에서의 적용 시험결과 미생물 생육이 현저히 저해됨을 알 수 있었다. 체소내의 미생물에 대한 살멸효과 시험에서도 미생물의 수가 현저하게 감소하였고, 특히 대장균의 수가 현저하게 감소하였다. $그리존^{TM}$은 세균, 바이러스의 살멸에 탁원한 효과를 보이며, 음식물에 직접 처리할 시에도 그 안전성과 효능이 입증되었다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.284-295
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• 2020

2019년 12월, 중국 후베이성 우한시에서 COVID-19환자가 처음으로 보고되었다. 그 이후 국내에서 신종 코로나 바이러스에 의해 야기된 중증 급성 호흡기 증후군 환자가 급격하게 증가하였다. 이러한 새로운 변종 바이러스는 기침, 인후통, 비루, 호흡곤란, 폐렴 및 기타 폐질환을 유발한다. 중증 급성 호흡기 증후군 코로나 바이러스 2는 RNA바이러스로, 실시간 역전사효소 중합효소 연쇄반응을 통한 분자진단 검사가 COVID-19의 진단에 폭 넓게 사용되고 있다. 국내 질병관리본부와 식품의약품 안전처의 긴급 사용 허가 승인에 따라, 건강한 사람과 COVID-19 환자로부터 검체를 채취하여 진단검사의학적인 방법을 통해 진단을 수행하고 있다. 기존에 출판된 많은 문헌 고찰을 통해, 본 연구에서는 역학, 증상 및 질병관리본부의 승인을 받은 현재의 검사실 내 COVID-19 분자 진단 방법, 분자 진단 검사와 혈청학적 진단의 차이, 임상 검체 가이드라인 등을 다시 한 번 확인하고자 하였다. 추가적으로 본 연구를 통해 국내 의료기관 내 의료종사자 및 임상병리사들의 병원 감염을 예방하고자 생물학적 안전에 관한 가이드라인을 확인하였다. 국내 임상병리사들의 경험과 그로부터 얻은 교훈을 통해 국내외 COVID-19 팬데믹 상황으로부터 국민의 안전을 지킬 수 있는 단초를 제공할 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권10호
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• pp.545-550
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• 2020

Combination therapy using chloroquine (CQ) and azithromycin (AZM) has drawn great attention due to its potential anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2. However, clinical trials have revealed that the co-administration of CQ and AZM resulted in severe side effects, including cardiac arrhythmia, in patients with COVID-19. To elucidate the cardiotoxicity induced by CQ and AZM, we examined the effects of these drugs based on the electrophysiological properties of human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hESC-CMs) using multi-electrode arrays. CQ treatment significantly increased the field potential duration, which corresponds to prolongation of the QT interval, and decreased the spike amplitude, spike slope, and conduction velocity of hESC-CMs. AZM had no significant effect on the field potentials of hESC-CMs. However, CQ in combination with AZM greatly increased the field potential duration and decreased the beat period and spike slope of hESC-CMs when compared with CQ monotherapy. In support of the clinical data suggesting the cardiovascular side effects of the combination therapy of CQ and AZM, our results suggest that AZM reinforces the cardiotoxicity induced by CQ in hESC-CMs.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제53권4호
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• pp.289-292
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• 2020

Yemen has been faced with the worst cholera epidemic of modern times, with more than 1 million suspected cases and 3000 deaths at the time of writing. This problem is largely due to the longstanding civil war between pro-government forces and the Houthi armed movement, which has severely damaged already vulnerable sanitation and healthcare facilities and systems in the country. It is further compounded by a dire lack of basic amenities, chronic malnutrition, and unfavourable weather conditions. Another contributory component may be aerial transfer by cholera-infected chironomid insects. To contain the spread of cholera in Yemen, a nation-wide armistice should be negotiated, and national and local committees must be convened to coordinate efforts on the ground. Community isolation facilities with proper sanitation, reliable disposal systems, and a clean water supply should be set up to isolate and treat sick patients. The continuity of vaccination programmes should be ensured. Public health campaigns to educate local communities about good hygiene practices and nutrition are also necessary. The One Health paradigm emphasizes a multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary understanding and approach to prevent and mitigate the threat of communicable diseases. This paradigm is highly applicable to the ongoing cholera crisis in Yemen, as it demands a holistic and whole-of-society approach at the local, regional, and national levels. The key stakeholders and warring parties in Yemen must work towards a lasting ceasefire during these trying times, especially given the extra burden from the mounting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak worldwide.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.169-176
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• 2020

Background: Most meta-analyses of risk factors for severe or critical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 only included studies conducted in China and this causes difficulties in generalization. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the risk factors in patients with COVID-19 from various countries. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for studies published on the mortality risk in patients with COVID-19 from January 1 to May 7, 2020. Pooled estimates were calculated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects model. Results: We analyzed data from seven studies involving 26,542 patients in total in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Among the patients, 2,337 deaths were recorded (8.8%). Elderly patients and males showed significantly higher mortality rates than young patients and females; the OR values were 3.6 (95% CI 2.5-5.1) and 1.2 (95% CI 1.0-1.3), respectively. Among comorbidities, hypertension (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-4.6), diabetes (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-3.9), cardiovascular disease (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.5-6.3), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.7-11.5), and chronic kidney disease (OR 4.2, 95% CI 2.0-8.6) were significantly associated with increased mortalities. Conclusion: This meta-analysis, involving a huge global sample, employed a systematic method for synthesizing quantitative results of studies on the risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19. It is helpful for clinicians to identify patients with poor prognosis and improve the allocation of health resources to patients who need them most.