• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.556-563
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• 1999

Presence of antibody to the capsid protein p24 is the main diagnostic criterion, since this reflects reliable antibody response to HIV infection. However, it takes about 6-8 weeks for antibody production after infection and people who are infected but antibodies are not produced yet are classified as seronegative. Therefore, there is a strong need for an improved diagnostic method for better health security. As a first step for developing such an improved diagnostic system, gag protein of human immunodificiency virus type 1 was expressed in E. coli DH5$\alpha$. The gag fragment of HIV-1 (including a portion of p17 and whole p24) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and BamH I/EcoR I sites were created during PCR. The amplified DNA fragment was cleaved with BamH I/EcoR I and was subcloned into the GEX-2T vector which had been digested with BamHI/EcoRI, resulting gene fusion with gst gene of pGEX-2T. The recombinant DNA was transferred into E. coli DH5$\alpha$. The transformed bacteria were grown at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 3h and protein expression was induced with 0.1mM IPTG at $25^{\circ}C$ for 3h. Recombinant gag protein or GST-gag fusion protein was purified with glutathione-sepharose 4B bead and migrated as a single band when analyzed by 10% polyacrylamide gel. These proteins were confirmed by immunoblotting with anti-GST goat sera or Korean AIDS patients sera. The results of this study establish the expression and single step pulification of HIV-1 gag protein which can specifically bind with Korean AIDS patients sera.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.5.1-5.8
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• 2018

Stimulator of interferon gene (STING) is induced by various inflammatory agents, such as lipopolysaccharide and microbial pathogens, including virus and bacteria. In this study, we obtained a full-length cDNA of a STING homolog from olive flounder using rapid amplification of cDNA ends PCR technique. The full-length cDNA of Paralichthys olivaceus STING (PoSTING) was 1442 bp in length and contained a 1209-bp open reading frame that translated into 402 amino acids. The theoretical molecular mass of the predicted protein sequence was 45.09 kDa. In the PoSTING protein, three transmembrane domains and the STING superfamily domain were identified as characteristic features. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that PoSTING expressed in all the tissues analyzed, but showed the highest level in the spleen. Temporal expression analysis examined the significantly upregulated expression of PoSTING mRNA after viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) stimulation. In contrast, no significant changes in the PoSTING expression were detected in Edwardsiella tarda-challenged group compared to the un-injected control. The expression of P. olivaceus type I interferon (PoIFN-I) was also highly upregulated upon VHSV challenge. These results suggest that STING might be involved in the essential immune defense against viral infection together with the activation of IFN-I in olive flounder.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2010

To understand protozoan, viral, and bacterial infections in diarrheal patients, we analyzed positivity and mixedinfection status with 3 protozoans, 4 viruses, and 10 bacteria in hospitalized diarrheal patients during 2004-2006 in the Republic of Korea. A total of 76,652 stool samples were collected from 96 hospitals across the nation. The positivity for protozoa, viruses, and bacteria was 129, 1,759, and 1,797 per 10,000 persons, respectively. Especially, Cryptosporidium parvum was highly mixed-infected with rotavirus among pediatric diarrheal patients (29.5 per 100 C. parvum positive cases), and Entamoeba histolytica was mixed-infected with Clostridium perfringens (10.3 per 100 E. histolytica positive cases) in protozoan-diarrheal patients. Those infected with rotavirus and C. perfringens constituted relatively high proportions among mixed infection cases from January to April. The positivity for rotavirus among viral infection for those aged $\leq$ 5 years was significantly higher, while C. perfringens among bacterial infection was higher for $\geq$ 50 years. The information for association of viral and bacterial infections with enteropathogenic protozoa in diarrheal patients may contribute to improvement of care for diarrhea as well as development of control strategies for diarrheal diseases in Korea.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2022

Background: The recent COVID-19 pandemic is one of the worst disease outbreaks of the 21th century. Due to a lack of reliable antiviral therapeutics, wearing face masks is recommended to prevent airborne infection originating from virus-contaminated bioaerosols. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the filtration efficiencies of face masks that are commercially available in South Korea for a biological aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and murine coronavirus, a well-known surrogate for human coronaviruses. Methods: We collected six different kinds of commercial masks: two Korea Filter (KF)94 (KF94-1, KF94-2) masks, one surgical (Surgical-1) mask, one anti-droplet (KF-AD-1) mask, and two dust (Dust-1, Dust-2) face masks. S. aureus (ATCC 6538), a well-performing test bacteria and murine coronavirus (ATCC VR-764) were prepared under a suitable culture condition. Then, a mask biological filtration tester was used to examine the microbial filtration efficiencies of masks. Test microorganisms were quantitatively measured via cultivation methods and microbial filtration efficiencies were calculated appropriately. Results: All face masks showed over 99.6% filtration efficiency for S. aureus or murine coronavirus. There were no significant differences among the bacterial filtration efficiencies of the face masks. KF94-1 (99.97±0.08%) and Dust-1 mask (99.97±0.07%) showed the highest (over 99.9%) filtration efficiency for murine coronavirus. KF94-1 or Dust-1 masks showed a significant virus filtration efficiency compared to Surgical-1 mask (p<0.05; Mann-Whitney U test). Conclusions: All the commercially available face masks used in this study can filter S. aureus or murine coronavirus in bioaerosols efficiently, regardless of the mask type. Therefore, our results suggest that wearing a certified face mask is a reliable means to prevent the transmission of infectious airborne diseases via biological aerosols.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.194-198
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• 2019

Streptococcus dysgalactiae has two main subspecies: S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) and S. dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (SDSD). SDSE often colonizes and causes infections in humans; however, SDSD is an animal pathogen which often causes pyogenic infection in domestic animals. We present a case of meningitis with SDSD and herpes simplex virus in a 22-day-old newborn baby who had no exposure to animals.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.262-267
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• 2007

Implantation of allografts has increased widely with not only the availability of many allogenic bone but also allogenic soft tissues. The aim of tissue banking is to provide surgeons with safe tissues compatible with their intended clinical application. The incidence of tissue transplant-transmitted infection is unknown and can only be inferred from prospective studies. The possibility of donor-to-recipient disease transmission through soft tissue transplantation can be considered by reviewing the risk associated with other transplanted hard tissues. Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections have been transmitted via transplantation of soft tissue allografts such as skin, cornea, dura, pericardium. fascia lata, and heart valves. Corneas have transmitted rabies, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), hepatitis B (HBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), bacteria, and fungi. Heart valves have been implicated in transmitting tuberculosis, hepatitis B. HIV-1 and CMV. CJD has been transmitted by dura and pericardium transplants. Skin has transmitted CMV, bacteria, and fungi. Cadaveric skin, pericardium, dura, and fascia lata have been used in dental patients with intra-oral soft tissue injuries and GBR. This study is review of the considering transmission of infectious disease in allogenic soft tissues and guidelines of reducing the risk. Prior to use, many tissues are exposed to antibiotics, disinfectants, and sterilants, which further reduce or remove the risk of transmitted disease. Because some soft tissue grafts cannot be subjected to sterilization steps, the risk of infectious disease transmission remains and thorough donor screening and testing is especially important.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.432-442
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• 2020

Diagnostic monitoring in Korean rockfish cages was performed to survey the prevalence of pathogens in cultured Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli from May 2013 to July 2016. A total of 1,945 fish samples collected from the western (Cheonsu Bay and Heuksando), southern (Tongyeong and Namhae), and eastern coasts (Pohang) of Korea were tested for parasites, viruses, and bacteria. In this study, 1,264 and 334 fishes were infected with Microcotyle sebastis and Clavinema mariae, respectively. The prevalence rates of C. clavinema in fishes from Cheonsu Bay, Heuksando, and Tongyeong were 35.3%, 3.9% and 1.9%, respectively. No C. clavinema infection was detected in cultured rockfish from Namhae and Pohang. Furthermore, bacteria including Photobacterium damselae (8.9%), Photobacterium piscicola (2.3%), Photobacterium spp. (8.9%), Aeromonas salmonicida (1.8%), Aeromonas spp. (0.9%), Vibrio scophthalmi (1.5%), Vibrio spp. (3.3%), Streptococcus iniae (1.2%), and others (8.0%) were detected in 373 of 1,364 fishes. No virus was detected in any fish investigated in this study.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Available publications (e.g., theses, scientific reports, books and papers) about the elements of the Egyptian biodiversity during 2000-2018 were collected in a progress scientific report. The publications reported in this bibliography were collected from various sources including: site of the Egyptian Universities Libraries Consortium Portal, accounts of the biodiversity specialists on Research gate, direct contact with the national experts of the Egyptian biodiversity, libraries of some universities and research centers and others. The elements of the Egyptian biodiversity are classified into different categories. Results: Up till now, a total of 20,521 species were recorded in Egypt, of which insects have the highest contribution (48.7%), followed by fungi (12.1%) and vascular plants (11.5%). In a descending order, each of amphibians, viruses, reptiles, mammals, cyanobacteria, bryophytes, and bacteria have a minor contribution (< 1%). Based on the available data, Egyptian biodiversity contributes 1.3% of the world biota, although its area contributes only 0.7% of the world area. At a global scale, the most represented groups are algae (12.22% of the world figure), followed by cyanobacteria (6.08%) and birds (4.70%). On the other hand, the less represented are amphibians (0.14% of the world figure), flora (0.84%) and insects (1.00%). Conclusions: Some suggestions are recommended for preparing a phytoplankton checklist based on the rich available publications; further studies should be carried out on the lichen biodiversity in order to prepare acceptable verified checklist for this important group. In addition, paleo-biologists should work together to publish a book dealing with the Egyptian paleo-biology, such studies will lead to high ranking the Egyptian biodiversity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

We are aim to evaluate antimicrobial effects of the extract of Galla rhois (GR) on the health status and performance of growing and finishing pigs. This study was conducted on the growing and finishing pigs (n = 200) for 130 days in a swine husbandry. The animals were divided with two groups; GR treated group (n = 100) and commercial diet feeding group (n = 100). GR treated animals had provided with commercial diet adding the extract of GR as 0.2%. During the study period, we compared clinical signs, weight increase rate, diet consumption amount, fecal scores, gross findings, necropsy findings, histopathological findings between the treated group and non treated group. After necropsy, bacteria isolation and PCR analysis were conducted with the clinical samples. As the results of this long-term clinical trial, GR showed the antimicrobial effects on respiratory disease and diarrhea. We were identified that GR had the anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

This study was investigated to diagnose pathogenic organisms of atrophic piglets in northern area of the Gyeongnam province, Korea. Samples such as feces, blood and necropsy specimens of 42 atrophic piglets (${\leq}10$ weeks old) were taken from May to December 2013 for this survey. Samples were examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and bacteria isolation for detection of pathogenic agents. 93 pathogens were isolated from 42 samples can be classified into ll groups. We identified bacterial agents in 56 cases (60.2%) and viral agents in 31 cases (33.3%). However, 6 cases (6.5%) were undetected. Among these pathogens, the most prevalent disease were porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in 22 cases (23.7%). The major diseases were Colibacillosis in 15 cases (16.1%), Glasser's disease in 12 cases (12.9%), and porcine epidemic disease (PED) in 9 cases (9.7%). Mixed infections were accounted for 77.8% of atrophic piglets. In particular, the rate of mixed infections with PRRS virus showed the highest frequency (71.4%). In addition, there is a seasonal variation. Viral pathogens were dominantly detected in winter, but in the rest of the season bacterial agents were mainly detected. Gastrointestinal diseases occurred mainly in the pre-weaning piglets, the respiratory diseases and wasting diseases occurred mainly in the post-weaning piglets.