• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.16.1-16.8
• /
• 2021

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) demonstrate dysregulated immune responses including exacerbated neutrophil functions. Massive neutrophil infiltrations accompanying neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formations are also observed in patients with severe COVID-19. However, the mechanism underlying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-induced NET formation has not yet been elucidated. Here we show that 2 viral proteins encoded by SARS-CoV-2, the nucleocapsid protein and the whole spike protein, induce NET formation from neutrophils. NET formation was ROSindependent and was completely inhibited by the spleen tyrosine kinase inhibition. The inhibition of p38 MAPK, protein kinase C, and JNK signaling pathways also inhibited viral protein-induced NET formation. Our findings demonstrate one method by which SARSCoV-2 evades innate immunity and provide a potential target for therapeutics to treat patients with severe COVID-19.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.352-358
• /
• 2022

In this paper, we study the relationship between infection rates of covid 19 and the precautionary measures and strict protocols taken by Saudi Arabia to combat the spread of the coronavirus disease and minimize the number of infected people. Based on the infection rates and the timetable of precautionary measures, the best framework of precautionary measures was identified by applying the traveling salesman problem (TSP) that relies on ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithms. The proposed algorithm was applied to daily infected cases data in Saudi Arabia during three periods of precautionary measures: partial curfew, whole curfew, and gatherings penalties. The results showed the partial curfew and the whole curfew for some cities have the minimum total cases over other precautionary measures. The gatherings penalties had no real effect in reducing infected cases as the other two precautionary measures. Therefore, in future similar circumstances, we recommend first applying the partial curfew and the whole curfew for some cities, and not considering the gatherings penalties as an effective precautionary measure. We also recommend re-study the application of the grouping penalty, to identify the reasons behind the lack of its effectiveness in reducing the number of infected cases.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.171-188
• /
• 2020

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), first identified in China in December 2019, has widely spread worldwide and is an ongoing pandemic. It is expected that the ripple effect of COVID-19 on the global economy including the agricultural sector will increase substantially if not properly controlled shortly. This study examines the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Korean beef cattle sector and farm labor demand for Korean beef cattle using a dynamic partial equilibrium model. The agricultural production value and farm labor demand for Korean beef cattle in the scenario assuming pessimistic GDP growth rate (-1.2% in 2020) with no direct supply shocks fell by up to 4.00% and 0.67%, respectively, compared to the baseline which represents the future without COVID-19 outbreak. On the other hand, the agricultural production value and farm labor demand for Korean beef cattle in the scenario assuming both pessimistic GDP growth rate and supply shocks (-12.7% beef imports and + 2.4% feed cost in 2020) increased by up to 12.08% and 1.99%, respectively, compared to the baseline.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.1
• /
• pp.23-32
• /
• 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause clinical manifestations of multiple organ damage, including various neurological syndromes. There are currently two oral antiviral drugs-Paxlovid and molnupiravir-that are recognized to treat COVID-19, but there are still no drugs that can specifically fight the challenges of SARS-CoV-2 variants. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimolecular complex that can sense heterogeneous pathogen-associated molecular patterns associated with neurological disorders. The NLRP3 activation stimulates the production of caspase-1-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, and other cytokines in immune cells. Panax (P.) ginseng is a medicinal plant that has traditionally been widely used to boost immunity and treat various pathological conditions in the nervous system due to its safety and anti-inflammatory/oxidant/viral activities. Several recent reports have indicated that P. ginseng and its active ingredients may regulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the nervous system. Therefore, this review article discusses the current knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of neurological disorders related to COVID-19 and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and the possibility of using P. ginseng in a strategy targeting this pathway to treat neurological disorders.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.23.1-23.12
• /
• 2022

Natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 or vaccination induces virus-specific immunity protecting hosts from infection and severe disease. While the infection-preventing immunity gradually declines, the severity-reducing immunity is relatively well preserved. Here, based on the different longevity of these distinct immunities, we develop a mathematical model to estimate courses of endemic transition of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Our analysis demonstrates that high viral transmission unexpectedly reduces the rates of progression to severe COVID-19 during the course of endemic transition despite increased numbers of infection cases. Our study also shows that high viral transmission amongst populations with high vaccination coverages paradoxically accelerates the endemic transition of COVID-19 with reduced numbers of severe cases. These results provide critical insights for driving public health policies in the era of 'living with COVID-19.'

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.107-111
• /
• 2022

In 2019, coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which originated in Wuhan, has spread worldwide. In most people, COVID-19 symptoms are not severe. However, the mortality rate and severity were high in risk groups such as in older people and patients with underlying diseases. As patients with cancer are one of the risk groups, the vaccination for COVID-19 is emphasized in these patients. However, COVID-19 vaccines are not tested enough in special groups such as in patients with cancer because these vaccines are developed at an unprecedented speed. This causes confusion about whether patients undergoing chemotherapy should be vaccinated or not. In this study, international guidelines and studies were reviewed. Most of the studies recommended vaccination. No evidences of any negative effects for the efficacy or safety were recorded in patients undergoing cytotoxic, targeted, and immune agents. However, in critical conditions such as cytopenia, vaccination must be decided according to the patient's condition. COVID-19 vaccines were also recommended for patients on surgery or radiation therapy. If possible, vaccine is given before surgery to avoid confusion between surgical complications and side effects of the vaccine. The radiation recall phenomenon after vaccination has been reported in some cases of radiation therapy. Clinicians should consider these situations before vaccinating each patient. We hope that clearer guidelines will be established by accumulating verified data.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.401-407
• /
• 2021

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is an ongoing pandemic disease. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses have been detected and characterized not only in COVID-19 patients and convalescents, but also unexposed individuals. Here, we review the phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in COVID-19 patients and the relationships between SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and COVID-19 severity. In addition, we describe the phenotypes and functions of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells after recovery from COVID-19 and discuss the presence of SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in unexposed individuals and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses elicited by COVID-19 vaccines. A better understanding of T-cell responses is important for effective control of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.44 no.12
• /
• pp.861-878
• /
• 2021

The human genome contains many retroviral elements called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), resulting from the integration of retroviruses throughout evolution. HERVs once were considered inactive junk because they are not replication-competent, primarily localized in the heterochromatin, and silenced by methylation. But HERVs are now clearly shown to actively regulate gene expression in various physiological and pathological conditions such as developmental processes, immune regulation, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and neurological disorders. Recent studies report that HERVs are activated in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. In this review, we describe internal and external factors that influence HERV activities. We also present evidence showing the gene regulatory activity of HERV LTRs (long terminal repeats) in model organisms such as mice, rats, zebrafish, and invertebrate models of worms and flies. Finally, we discuss several molecular and cellular pathways involving various transcription factors and receptors, through which HERVs affect downstream cellular and physiological events such as epigenetic modifications, calcium influx, protein phosphorylation, and cytokine release. Understanding how HERVs participate in various physiological and pathological processes will help develop a strategy to generate effective therapeutic approaches targeting HERVs.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.2.1-2.11
• /
• 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an ongoing pandemic disease. In the current review, we describe SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses in acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients. We also discuss the relationships between COVID-19 severity and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses and summarize recent reports regarding SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in SARS-CoV-2-unexposed individuals. These T cells may be cross-reactive cells primed by previous infection with human common-cold coronaviruses. Finally, we outline SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses in the context of vaccination. A better understanding of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses is needed to develop effective vaccines and therapeutics.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.17-28
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to analyze whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected the characteristics of first-visit patients with peripheral facial palsy (PFP) and observe changes in their characteristics. This study analyzed the electronic medical records of 2,310 first-visit patients with PFP who visited the Facial Palsy Center, Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021, in terms of demographic characteristics, disease phase, residence locations, hospital visit route, and patient care. During COVID-19, the proportion of acute patients increased by 5.3%, the proportion of visits by residents in Seoul increased by 3.8%, and the proportion of patients receiving only outpatient treatments increased by 12.8%. Significant relationships were present between the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the number of patients by disease phase (p = 0.043), residence locations (p = 0.003), and patient care (p = 0.003). Thus, several differences in the characteristics of first-visit patients with PFP visiting a Korean medicine hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of demographic characteristics, disease phase, residence locations, and patient care.