• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.749-760
• /
• 2022

Omics-driven synthetic biology is a multidisciplinary research field that creates new artificial life by employing genetic components, biological devices, and engineering technique based on genetic knowledge and technological expertise. It is also utilized to make valuable biomaterials with limited production via current organisms faster, more efficient, and in huge quantities. As the bioeconomic age begins, and the global synthetic biology market becomes more competitive, investment in research and development (R&D) and associated sectors has grown considerably. By overcoming the constraints of present biotechnologies through the merging of big data and artificial intelligence technologies, huge ripple effects are envisaged in the pharmaceutical, chemical, and energy industries. In agriculture, synthetic biology is being used to solve current agricultural problems and develop sustainable agricultural systems by increasing crop productivity, implementing low-carbon agriculture, and developing plant-based, high-value-added bio-materials such as vaccines for diagnosing and preventing livestock diseases. As international regulatory debates on synthetic biology are now underway, discussions should also take place in our country for the growth of bioindustries and the dissemination of research findings. Furthermore, the system must be improved to facilitate practical application and to enhance the risk evaluation technology and management system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.253-263
• /
• 2023

The biogenesis and biological roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the progression of liver diseases have attracted considerable attention in recent years. EVs are membrane-bound nanosized vesicles found in different types of body fluids and contain various bioactive materials, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and mitochondrial DNA. Based on their origin and biogenesis, EVs can be classified as apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. Among these, exosomes are the smallest EVs (30-150 nm in diameter), which play a significant role in cell-to-cell communication and epigenetic regulation. Moreover, exosomal content analysis can reveal the functional state of the parental cell. Therefore, exosomes can be applied to various purposes, including disease diagnosis and treatment, drug delivery, cell-free vaccines, and regenerative medicine. However, exosome-related research faces two major limitations: isolation of exosomes with high yield and purity and distinction of exosomes from other EVs (especially microvesicles). No standardized exosome isolation method has been established to date; however, various exosome isolation strategies have been proposed to investigate their biological roles. Exosome-mediated intercellular communications are known to be involved in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease development. Damaged hepatocytes or nonparenchymal cells release large numbers of exosomes that promote the progression of inflammation and fibrogenesis through interactions with neighboring cells. Exosomes are expected to provide insight on the progression of liver disease. Here, we review the biogenesis of exosomes, exosome isolation techniques, and biological roles of exosomes in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.187-198
• /
• 2022

This study attempted to examine whether the spread of infectious diseases and quarantine measures such as border blockade and restrictions on movement due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is the cause of a decrease in product trade. To this end, a gravity model analysis was conducted using commodity trade statistics from Korea and major trading partners. As a result of the analysis, it was empirically confirmed that in 2020, the time of the spread of COVID-19, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic was an obstacle to reducing Korea's trade. However, in the case of 2021, it was not possible to confirm whether the impact of the pandemic had a significant effect on commodity trade. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 is different, the commodity trade situation in 2022 when the COVID-19 epidemic is stably managed is also likely to change. Since factors such as response to COVID-19 and the spread of vaccines vary from country to country, it is thought that such various factors should be fully considered in the process of establishing policies to end the COVID-19 era

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.61 no.3
• /
• pp.251-262
• /
• 2023

Schistosomiasis causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effect of schistosomula lung antigen preparation (SLAP) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) on a murine schistosomiasis mansoni model. Ninety laboratory-bred male Swiss albino mice were divided into 6 groups. Two doses of the vaccine were given at 2-week intervals. All mice were subcutaneously infected with 80±10 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae 2 weeks after the last vaccination dose. They were sacrificed 7 weeks post-infection. Parasitological and histopathological studies were conducted to assess the effect of inoculated antigens (single or combined). The results showed that the combination of SLAP and SEA (combination group) led to a significant reduction in worm burden (65.56%), and liver and intestine egg count (59% and 60.59%, respectively). The oogram pattern revealed a reduction in immature and mature eggs (15±0.4 and 10±0.8, respectively) and an increased number of dead eggs in the combination group (P<0.001). In terms of histopathological changes, the combination group showed notably small compact fibrocellular egg granuloma and moderate fibrosis in the liver. A high percentage of destroyed ova was observed in the intestine of the combination group. This study demonstrates for the first time the prophylactic effect of combined SLAP and SEA vaccine. The vaccine induced a significant reduction in the parasitological and pathological impacts of schistosomiasis mansoni in hepatic and intestinal tissues, making it a promising vaccine candidate for controlling schistosomiasis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.172-179
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Vaccination is an important intervention for preventing disease and reducing disease severity. Universal vaccination programs have significantly reduced the incidence of many dangerous diseases among children worldwide. This study investigated the side effects after immunization in infants under 1 year of age in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Methods: This descriptive analytical study included data from all children <1 year old in Lorestan Province, Iran who were vaccinated according to the national schedule in 2020 and had an adverse event following immunization (AEFI). Data were extracted from 1084 forms on age, sex, birth weight, type of birth, AEFI type, vaccine type, and time of vaccination. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) were calculated, and the chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used to assess differences in AEFIs according to the abovelisted variables. Results: The most frequent AEFIs were high fever (n=386, 35.6%), mild local reaction (n=341, 31.5%), and swelling and pain (n=121, 11.2%). The least common AEFIs were encephalitis (n=1, 0.1%), convulsion (n=2, 0.2%), and nodules (n=3, 0.3%). Girls and boys only showed significant differences in mild local reactions (p=0.044) and skin allergies (p=0.002). The incidence of lymphadenitis (p<0.001), severe local reaction (p<0.001), mild local reaction (p=0.007), fainting (p=0.032), swelling and pain (p=0.006), high fever (p=0.005), and nodules (p<0.001) showed significant differences based on age at vaccination. Conclusions: Immunization is a fundamental public health policy for controlling vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Although vaccines such as the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, oral poliovirus vaccine, and pentavalent vaccine are well-researched and reliable, AEFIs are inevitable.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.37.1-37.14
• /
• 2023

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been used as adjuvants to modulate immune responses in both animals and humans. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of the TLR 4 agonist monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and the TLR 3 agonist polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs). Methods: The PBMCs, MoDCs, and BM-MSCs collected from three mixed breed horses were treated with MPL, Poly I:C, and their combination. The mRNA expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p40, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The combination of MPL and Poly I:C significantly upregulated immunomodulatory responses in equine cells/ without cytotoxicity. The combination induced greater mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-6 than MPL or Poly I:C stimulation alone in PBMCs. In addition, the combination induced significantly higher mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-12p40 in MoDCs, and IL-8, MCP-1, and VEGF in BM-MSCs compared to stimulation with a single TLR agonist. Conclusions: The combination of MPL and Poly I:C can be used as a potential adjuvant candidate for vaccines to aid in preventing infectious diseases in horses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.63 no.1
• /
• pp.5.1-5.9
• /
• 2023

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), and feline herpesvirus type-1 (FHV-1) are major infectious pathogens in cats. We evaluated the immunogenicity of a new vaccine containing inactivated FPV, two FCVs, and FHV-1 in animals. An FPV, two FCVs, and an FHV-1 isolate were continuously passaged 70, 50, 80, and 100 times in CRFK cells. FP70, FC50, FC80, and FH100 were propagated and used as vaccine antigens. Two inactivated feline virus vaccines, feline rehydragel-adjuvanted vaccine (FRAV) and feline cabopol-adjuvanted vaccine (FCAV) were prepared and inoculated into mice and guinea pigs. Humoral immune responses were measured using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) for FPV and virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) for two FCVs and FHV-1 tests. Serial passages in CRFK cells resulted in increase in titers of FPV and two FCVs but not FHV-1 The FCAV induced higher mean HI and VNA titers than the FRAV in guinea pigs; therefore, the FCAV was selected. Cats inoculated with FCAV developed a mean HI titer of 259.9 against FPV, and VNA titers of 64, 256, and 3.2 against FCV17D03, FCV17D283, and FHV191071, respectively. Therefore, cats inoculated with the FCAV showed a considerable immune response after receiving a booster vaccination.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.253-259
• /
• 2022

This study aims to provide a basis for preparing specific welfare measures for healthy lives of those who have lost vitality due to COVID-19 by identifying the Korean people's level of fear of COVID-19 and vaccine acceptability, and by examining people's life satisfaction. . The research results are as follows. First, the fear of coronavirus perceived by the survey subjects was found to be very high. Second, when compared to other vaccines against coronavirus, fear or fear of the vaccine was significantly higher. Third, the vaccine acceptance of adults perceived by the survey subjects was positive. Fourth, the reliability of the government policy on the coronavirus prevention vaccine was found to be relatively high. Fifth, in the evaluation of quality of life, economic satisfaction was lower than in other areas, and emotional satisfaction was found to be relatively high compared to other areas.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.47-56
• /
• 2022

Background: In modern society, the number of households raising companion animals increases, and the market for veterinary medicines is expanding even more. This study aims to investigate the perception of companion animal lovers' veterinary medicines, the necessity of specific guidance by pharmacists for veterinary medicines, the role of pharmacists at veterinary pharmacies, and ways to fulfill that role. Methods: This study evaluated veterinary medicines and medication guidance through Google online questionnaire targeting pet-lovers from December 20, 2021, until January 19, 2022. The questions consist of 1) characteristics of petlovers, 2) purchase history and drug recognition of veterinary drugs, 3) use of veterinary vaccines, 4) use of diagnostic kits, and 5) guidance of veterinary medicines by local pharmacists. Results: The respondents' experience purchasing veterinary drugs was as high as 94.4%. The most purchased drug was heartworm-preventing products, and vaccination was performed mainly at veterinary clinics (veterinarians). The respondents primarily purchased veterinary medicines for companion animals at veterinary hospitals and did not know the name of the drugs which they bought. In addition, respondents expected to receive specific information on veterinary medicines from pharmacists. Conclusion: As the number of veterinary pharmacies in the community will increase with the expansion of the companion animal market, pharmacists should play their role as experts in veterinary medicines through systematic and continuous professional education.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.736-744
• /
• 2023

The introduction of the toxT-139F allele triggers the expression of TCP (toxin co-regulated pilus) and CT (cholera toxin) under simple laboratory culture conditions in most Vibrio cholerae strains. Such V. cholerae strains, especially strains that have been used in OCVs (oral cholera vaccines), can induce antibody responses against TCP in animal models. However, CT produced in these V. cholerae strains is secreted into the culture medium. In this study, V. cholerae strains that can express intracellular CTB under the control of the toxT-139F allele have been constructed for potential application in OCVs. First, we constructed a recombinant plasmid directly linking the ctxAB promoter to ctxB without ctxA and confirmed CTB expression from the plasmid in V. cholerae containing the toxT-139F allele. We constructed another recombinant plasmid to express NtrCTB, from which 14 internal amino acids-from the 7^th to the 20^th amino acid-of the leader peptide of CTB have been omitted, and we found that NtrCTB remained in the cells. Based on those results, we constructed V. cholerae strains in which chromosomal ctxAB is replaced by ntrctxB or ntrctxB-dimer. Both NtrCTB and NtrCTB-dimer remained in the bacterial cells, and 60% of the NtrCTB-dimer in the bacterial cells was maintained in a soluble form. To develop improved OCVs, these strains could be tested to see whether they induce immune responses against CTB in animal models.