• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has made significant impacts on global public health, including the development of several skin diseases that have arisen primarily as a result of the pandemic. Owing to the widespread expansion of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), the development of effective treatments for these skin diseases is drawing attention as an important social issue. For many centuries, ginseng and its major active ingredients, ginsenosides and saponins, have been widely regarded as herbal medicines. Further, the anti-viral action of ginseng suggests its potential effectiveness as a therapeutic agent against COVID-19. Thus, the aim of this review was to examine the association of skin lesions with COVID-19 and the effect of ginseng as a therapeutic agent to treat skin diseases induced by COVID-19 infection. We classified COVID-19-related skin disorders into three categories: caused by inflammatory, immune, and complex (both inflammatory and immune) responses and evaluated the evidence for ginseng as a treatment for each category. This review offers comprehensive evidence on the improvement of skin disorders induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection using ginseng and its active constituents.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.51.1-51.5
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• 2020

A novel coronavirus emerged in human populations and spread rapidly to cause the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Although the origin of the associated virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2]) remains unclear, genetic evidence suggests that bats are a reservoir host of the virus, and pangolins are a probable intermediate. SARS-CoV-2 has crossed the species barrier to infect humans and other animal species, and infected humans can facilitate reverse-zoonotic transmission to animals. Considering the rapidly changing interconnections among people, animals, and ecosystems, traditional roles of veterinarians should evolve to include transdisciplinary roles.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.80.1-80.6
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• 2022

A 10-year-old male neutered Labrador Retriever presented with a history of acute-onset tachypnoea, lethargy and anorexia. The dog was pyrexic, tachypnoeic and dyspnoeic on examination. A rapid antigen test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was performed on an oropharyngeal swab and yielded a positive result. SARS-CoV-2 infection was subsequently confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Both of the dog's owners had positive rapid antigen test and RT-PCR analysis results for SARS-CoV-2. Additional diagnostics included computed tomography. Resolution of the dog's clinical signs was achieved with symptomatic treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.153-166
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• 2022

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a novel multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been reported worldwide since the first cases were reported in Europe in April 2020. MIS-C is temporally associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and shows Kawasaki disease (KD)-like features. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics in COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C differ, but severe cases of each disease share similar clinical and laboratory findings such as a protracted clinical course, multiorgan involvement, and similar activated biomarkers. These findings suggest that a common control system of the host may act against severe disease insult. To solve the enigmas, we proposed the protein-homeostasis-system hypothesis in that every disease involves etiological substances and the host's immune system controls them by their size and biochemical properties. Also, it is proposed that the etiological agents of KD and MIS-C might be certain strains in the microbiota of human species and etiological substances in severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C originate from pathogen-infected cells. Since disease severity depends on the amounts of inflammation-inducing substances and corresponding immune activation in the early stage of the disease, an early proper dose of corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may help reduce morbidity and possibly mortality among patients with these diseases. Corticosteroids are low cost and an analogue of host-origin cortisol among immune modulators. This study's findings will help clinicians treating severe COVID-19, KD, and MIS-C, especially in developing countries, where IVIG and biologics supplies are insufficient.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.12.1-12.17
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in the human population in late 2019, it has spread on an unprecedented scale worldwide leading to the first coronavirus pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 infection results in a wide range of clinical manifestations from asymptomatic to fatal cases. Although intensive research has been undertaken to increase understanding of the complex biology of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the detailed mechanisms underpinning the severe pathogenesis and interactions between the virus and the host immune response are not well understood. Thus, the development of appropriate animal models that recapitulate human clinical manifestations and immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 is crucial. Although many animal models are currently available for the study of SARS-CoV-2 infection, each has distinct advantages and disadvantages, and some models show variable results between and within species. Thus, we aim to discuss the different animal models, including mice, hamsters, ferrets, and non-human primates, employed for SARS-CoV-2 infection studies and outline their individual strengths and limitations for use in studies aimed at increasing understanding of coronavirus pathogenesis. Moreover, a significant advantage of these animal models is that they can be tailored, providing unique options specific to the scientific goals of each researcher.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.316-321
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• 2022

Since 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread rapidly, infecting millions of people worldwide. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic owing to the worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2, which created an unprecedented burden on the global healthcare system. In this context, there are increasing concerns regarding co-infections with other respiratory viruses, such as the influenza virus. In this study, clinical data of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses were compared with patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 alone. The hematology and blood biochemistry results of 178 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 , who were tested on admission, were retrospectively reviewed. In patients with SARS-CoV-2 and adenovirus co-infection, C-reactive protein levels were elevated on admission, whereas lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin clotting time, and bilirubin values were all within the normal range. Moreover, patients with SARS-CoV-2 and human bocavirus co-infection had low LDH and high bilirubin levels on admission. These findings reveal the clinical features of respiratory virus and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections and support the development of appropriate approaches for treating patients with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory virus co-infections.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.722-730
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• 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogenic virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with major symptoms including hyper-inflammation and cytokine storm, which consequently impairs the respiratory system and multiple organs, or even cause death. SARS-CoV-2 activates inflammasomes and inflammasome-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways, which are key determinants of hyperinflammation and cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 inhibits inflammasome activation to evade the host's antiviral immunity. Therefore, regulating inflammasome initiation has received increasing attention as a preventive measure in COVID-19 patients. Ginseng and its major active constituents, ginsenosides and saponins, improve the immune system and exert anti-inflammatory effects by targeting inflammasome stimulation. Therefore, this review discussed the potential preventive and therapeutic roles of ginseng in COVID-19 based on its regulatory role in inflammasome initiation and the host's antiviral immunity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제64권12호
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• pp.652-660
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• 2021

Background: Viral load and shedding duration are highly associated with the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, limited studies have reported on viral load or shedding in children and adolescents infected with sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the natural course of viral load in asymptomatic or mild pediatric cases. Methods: Thirty-one children (<18 years) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were hospitalized and enrolled in this study. Viral loads were evaluated in nasopharyngeal swab samples using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (E, RdRp, N genes). cycle threshold (Ct) values were measured when patients met the clinical criteria to be released from quarantine. Results: The mean age of the patients was 9.8 years, 18 (58%) had mild disease, and 13 (42%) were asymptomatic. Most children were infected by adult family members, most commonly by their mothers. The most common symptoms were fever and sputum (26%), followed by cough and runny nose. Nine patients (29%) had a high or intermediate viral load (Ct value≤30) when they had no clinical symptoms. Viral load showed no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Viral rebounds were found in 15 cases (48%), which contributed to prolonged viral detection. The mean duration of viral detection was 25.6 days. Viral loads were significantly lower in patients with viral rebounds than in those with no rebound (E, P=0.003; RdRp, P=0.01; N, P=0.02). Conclusion: Our study showed that many pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced viral rebound and showed viral detection for more than 3 weeks. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between viral rebound and infectiousness in COVID-19.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.155-160
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• 2022

코로나19로 확진된 소아와 청소년은 대개 경한 증상을 나타내며 SARS-CoV-2 감염으로 인한 다기관 기능부전은 매우 드물다. 저자들은 코로나19 예방접종을 완료한 16세 청소년에게서 발생한 다기관을 침범한 심한 SARS-CoV-2 감염에 대해 보고하고자 한다. 환자는 내원 당시 의식이 없었으며 심한 마비성장폐색증이 있었다. 혈액검사 상 심한 대사성 산증과 함께 림프구감소증, 혈소판감소증, 염증 수치 상승, 간수치 상승, 단백뇨와 혈뇨가 동반된 급성 신손상의 증거가 있었다. 환자의 상태는 렘데시비르와 덱사메타손 투여와 함께 점차 호전되었다. 코로나19 확진 2주 후에 환자는 다기관염증증후군을 짧게 경험하였으나 특별한 합병증 없이 퇴원하였다.