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

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.249-262
• /
• 2021

The most effective way to control newly emerging infectious disease, such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, is to strengthen preventative or therapeutic public health strategies before the infection spreads worldwide. However, global health systems remain at the early stages in anticipating effective therapeutics or vaccines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While maintaining social distance is the most crucial metric to avoid spreading the virus, symptomatic therapy given to patients on the clinical manifestations helps save lives. The molecular properties of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been quickly elucidated, paving the way to therapeutics, vaccine development, and other medical interventions. Despite this progress, the detailed biomolecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains elusive. Given virus invasion of cells is a determining factor for virulence, understanding the viral entry process can be a mainstay in controlling newly emerged viruses. Since viral entry is mediated by selective cellular proteases or proteins associated with receptors, identification and functional analysis of these proteins could provide a way to disrupt virus propagation. This review comprehensively discusses cellular machinery necessary for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding multifactorial traits of the virus entry will provide a substantial guide to facilitate antiviral drug development.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.1-37
• /
• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to provide a basis for applying Korean medical treatment for childhood anorexia in clinical practice by examining Korean medical etiology, pattern differentiation, and treatment, and focusing on research articles on Chinese medicine. Methods Articles on Chinese medicine related to childhood anorexia published before November 4, 2021, in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were analyzed. The etiology, pattern differentiation, and Chinese medical treatment were summarized. Results Of a total of 73 studies, 13 were randomized controlled trials (RCT), 32 were case studies, and 28 were review papers. The most common Chinese medical etiology of childhood anorexia was emotional instability, and the western medical etiology was problems with diet and lifestyle. The most frequently reported pattern differentiations were spleen-stomach-qi deficiency (脾胃氣虛), stomach-yin deficiency (胃陰不足), and spleen failing in transportation syndrome (脾失健運). The most frequent prescriptions were modified Yangwijeungaektang (养胃增液湯加減), Samryongbakchulsan (蔘苓白术散加减), and Ekongsan (異功散加減). As frequntly used tuina acupoints, Naepalgwae (内八卦), Joksamli (足三里), and Bigyeong (脾經) were mentioned. Conclusions This study analyzed the etiology, pattern differentiation, and Korean medical treatment of anorexia in children. Based on this study, standardization and well-designed clinical studies on Korean medical treatments for childhood anorexia can be expected in the future.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.65-76
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The present study measured changes in arteriolar and venular capillary flow and structure in the gingival tissues during the development of plaque-induced gingival inflammation by combining dynamic optical coherence tomography (OCT), laser perfusion, and capillaroscopic video imaging. Methods: Gingival inflammation was induced in 21 healthy volunteers over a 3-week period. Gingival blood flow and capillary morphology were measured by dynamic OCT, laser perfusion imaging, and capillaroscopy, including a baseline assessment of capillary glycocalyx thickness. Venular capillary flow was estimated by analysis of the perfusion images and mean blood velocity/acceleration in the capillaroscopic images. Readings were recorded at baseline and weekly over the 3 weeks of plaque accumulation and 2 weeks after brushing was resumed. Results: Perfusion imaging demonstrated a significant reduction of gingival blood flow after 1 and 2 weeks of plaque accumulation (P<0.05), but by 3 weeks of plaque accumulation there was a more mixed picture, with reduced flow in some participants and increased flow in others. Participants with reduced flux at 3 weeks also demonstrated venular-type flow as determined by perfusion images and evidence of the development of venular capillaries as assessed by the velocity/acceleration ratio in capillaroscopic images. After brushing resumed, these venular capillaries were broken down and replaced by arteriolar capillaries. Conclusions: After 3 weeks of plaque accumulation, there was wide variation in microvascular reactions between the participants. Reduced capillary flow was associated with the development of venular capillaries in some individuals. This is noteworthy, as an early increase in venous capillaries is a key vascular feature of cardiovascular disease, psoriasis, Sjögren syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis-diseases with a significant association with the development of severe gingival inflammation, which leads to periodontitis. Future investigations of microvascular changes in gingival inflammation might benefit from accurate capillary flow velocity measurements to assess the development of venular capillaries.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) in children who presented with nonorganic acute abdominal pain. Methods: A retrospective, single study was conducted on 2-15-year-old children diagnosed with nonorganic acute abdominal pain at the pediatric outpatient department of Vajira Hospital, Nawamindradhiraj University, between January 2015 and December 2019. The potential risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Of the 367 patients with nonorganic acute abdominal pain, 94 (25.6%) experienced RAP within three months. In this group with RAP, 76 patients (80.8%) were diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain-not otherwise specified, and functional constipation. History of gastrointestinal infection (p=0.011), mental health problems (p=0.022), abdominal pain lasting ≥7 days (p<0.001), and change in stool frequency (p=0.001) were the independent risk factors associated with RAP in children with nonorganic acute abdominal pain; their odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were 3.364 (1.314-8.162), 3.052 (1.172-7.949), 3.706 (1.847-7.435), and 2.649 (1.477-4.750), respectively. Conclusion: RAP is a common problem among children who first present with nonorganic acute abdominal pain. The identification of risk factors may provide proper management, especially follow-up plans for this group in the future.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.1478-1499
• /
• 2024

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. COVID-19 become an active epidemic disease due to its spread around the globe. The main causes of the spread are through interaction and transmission of the droplets through coughing and sneezing. The spread can be minimized by isolating the susceptible patients. However, it necessitates remote monitoring to check the breathing issues of the patient remotely to minimize the interactions for spread minimization. Thus, in this article, we offer a wearable-IoTs-centered framework for remote monitoring and recognition of the breathing pattern and abnormal breath detection for timely providing the proper oxygen level required. We propose wearable sensors accelerometer and gyroscope-based breathing time-series data acquisition, temporal features extraction, and machine learning algorithms for pattern detection and abnormality identification. The sensors provide the data through Bluetooth and receive it at the server for further processing and recognition. We collect the six breathing patterns from the twenty subjects and each pattern is recorded for about five minutes. We match prediction accuracies of all machine learning models under study (i.e. Random forest, Gradient boosting tree, Decision tree, and K-nearest neighbor. Our results show that normal breathing and Bradypnea are the most correctly recognized breathing patterns. However, in some cases, algorithm recognizes kussmaul well also. Collectively, the classification outcomes of Random Forest and Gradient Boost Trees are better than the other two algorithms.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.202-217
• /
• 2024

Structural vaccinology is pivotal in expediting vaccine design through high-throughput screening of immunogenic antigens. Leveraging the structural and functional characteristics of antigens and immune cell receptors, this approach employs protein structural comparison to identify conserved patterns in key pathogenic components. Molecular modeling techniques, including homology modeling and molecular docking, analyze specific three-dimensional (3D) structures and protein interactions and offer valuable insights into the 3D interactions and binding affinity between vaccine candidates and target proteins. In this review, we delve into the utilization of various immunoinformatics and molecular modeling tools to streamline the development of broad-protective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 variants. Structural vaccinology significantly enhances our understanding of molecular interactions between hosts and pathogens. By accelerating the pace of developing effective and targeted vaccines, particularly against the rapidly mutating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and other prevalent infectious diseases, this approach stands at the forefront of advancing immunization strategies. The combination of computational techniques and structural insights not only facilitates the identification of potential vaccine candidates but also contributes to the rational design of vaccines, fostering a more efficient and targeted approach to combatting infectious diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.239-245
• /
• 2005

Purpose: Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is an infiltrative disease of eosinophils affecting multiple organs including the iung. F-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (F-18 FDG) may accumulate at sites of inflammation or injection, making interpretation of whole body PET scan difficult in patients with cancer. This study was to evaluate the PET findings of HES with lung involvement and to find out differential PET features between lung malignancy and HES with lung involvement. Material and Methods: F-18 FDG PET and low dose chest CT scan was performed for screening of lung cancer. light patients who showed ground-glass attenuation (GGA) and consolidation on chest CT scan with peripheral blood eosinophilia werr included in this study. The patients with history of parasite infection, allergy and collagen vascular disease were excluded. CT features and FDG PET findings were meticulously evaluated for the distribution of GGA and consolidation and nodules on CT scan and mean and maximal SUV of abnormalities depicted on F-18 FDG PET scan. In eight patients, follow-up chest CT scan and FDG PET scan were done one or two weeks after initial study. Results: F-18 FDG PET scan identified metabolically active lesions in seven out of eight patients. Maximal SUV was ranged from 2.8 to 10.6 and mean SUV was ranged from 2.2 to 7.2. Remaining one patient had maximal SUV of 1.3. On follow-up FDG PET scan taken on from one to four weeks later showed decreased degree of initially noted FDG uptakes or migration of previously noted abnormal FDG uptakes. Conclusions: Lung involvement in the HES might be identified as abnormal uptake foci on FDG PET scan mimicking lung cancer. Follow-up FDG PET and CT scan for the identification of migration or resolution of abnormalities and decrement of SUV would be of help for the differentiation between lung cancer and HES with lung involvement.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.181-190
• /
• 2016

Improvements in disaster management has become a global necessity because the magnitude of disasters is intensifying in parallel with the increased disaster damage. The disaster risk in Korea is also increasing due to the emergence of new types of disaster; such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, the increase of complex disasters, and the heightened probability of a catastrophic event due to climate change. This paper aimed to identify the disaster loss-frequency relationship from 1948 to 2014 in Korea by using four types of variables. In addition, this paper found major disasters that resulted in the reformation of disaster response organizations, and inputted the deaths and economic loss attributed to those disasters into the disaster loss-frequency graph. The research result substantiated that the disaster loss-frequency relationship in Korea follows the Power Law and found the coefficients of each Power Function. Additionally, this paper found that most of the reformations of disaster response organizations happened after major disasters that concentrated societies attention and anger due to the high human and economic impact; such events are labelled as "focusing events." These focusing events, with the characteristics of a low probability and high impact, are located in the long tail of the Power Law Distribution. This paper suggests that the effective public policy for disaster response needs to be developed by paying attention to 'low probability and high impact' focusing events that are located in the long tail of the Power Law Distribution.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.103-153
• /
• 2010

"Sanghanjeonsaengjip(傷寒全生集)" is a classic medical work, written by the outstanding physician Dohwa(陶華) in the Ming Dynasty. The characteristic of "SangHanJeonSaengJip" is that this book succeeded to the spirit of pattern identification and treatment of Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases, newly changed a table of contents by symptoms, and together with this indicated the prescriptions in accordance with diswase-pattern at "YujeunghwalInseo(類證活人書)", "Hwajegookbang(和劑局方)" etc. Also because this kept the existing ephedra decoction, cinnamom twig decoction, minor decoction of bupleurum, decoction for reinforcing middle-energizer and replenishing qi etc.'s name on and unlikely indicated the medicine composition, it caused confusion, but at the later ages "Euhakipmun(醫學入門)" the so-called 'Doci(陶氏)' was added to the prescription name, so we are able to distinguish. Together with this, this book dose not indicate the dosage of medicine and indicates the first, the second, and the third classes[上中下] below medicine. As this dose not mean the three grades of quality"good, fair, and poor[上中下] of "Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica" but expresses the sovereign medicinal as the first class[上], minister medicinal as the second class[中] and assistant and courier medicinal as the third class[下], doctors can voluntarily decide the dosage of medicine in accordance with the degree of disease. At this thesis, I single out ten chapters in contents of 2nd volume named Hyeong(亨) corresponding to the details, among "Sanghanjeonsaengjip(傷寒全生集)". I discussed superficial fever types of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 1, aversion to cold types of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 2, syndrome caused un-sufficient sweating in chapter 3, organic fever types of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 4, aversion to wind types of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 5, Tidal fever types of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 6, Alternative attacts of chills and fever in chapter 7, Dysphoria with smothery sensation in chapter 8, Fidgetiness of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 9, and Headache of exogenous febrile disease in chapter 10, and together with this I discussed, in detail, which influence the prescriptions which are listed on each chapter have caused on future generations In accordance with this, I think that the above-mentioned symptoms and prescriptions are important when I research cold damage and warm disease study. So I orderly research revision, annotation, rendering and an investigation.