• Mycobiology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2019

Many members of the Saprolegniales (Oomycete) cause mycoses and disorders of fishes, of which Achlya and Saprolegnia are most ubiquitous genera worldwide. During a survey of the diversity of freshwater oomycetes in Korea, we collected seven isolates of Achlya, for which morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses enabled them to identify as Achlya americana and Achlya bisexualis. In Korea, only a species of Achlya, A. prolifera, has been previously found to cause seedling rot on rice (Oryza sativa), but none of the two species have been reported yet. Importantly, A. bisexualis was isolated from a live fish, namely rice fish (Oryzias sinensis), as well as freshwater, and this is the first report of Achlya-causing mycoses on freshwater fishes in Korea. The presence of A. americana and A. bisexualis on live fish in Korea should be closely monitored, as considering the well-known broad infectivity of these species it has the potential to cause an important emerging disease on aquaculture industry.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2019

Cellular senescence (CS) is one of hallmarks of aging and accumulation of senescent cells (SCs) with age contributes to tissue or organismal aging, as well as the pathophysiologies of diverse age-related diseases (ARDs). Genetic ablation of SCs in tissues lengthened health span and reduced the risk of age-related pathologies in a mouse model, suggesting a direct link between SCs, longevity, and ARDs. Therefore, senotherapeutics, medicines targeting SCs, might be an emerging strategy for the extension of health span, and prevention or treatment of ARDs. Senotherapeutics are classified as senolytics which kills SCs selectively; senomorphics which modulate functions and morphology of SCs to those of young cells, or delays the progression of young cells to SCs in tissues; and immune-system mediators of the clearance of SCs. Some senolytics and senomorphics have been proven to markedly prevent or treat ARDs in animal models. This review will present the current status of the development of senotherapeutics, in relation to aging itself and ARDs. Finally, future directions and opportunities for senotherapeutics use will discussed. This knowledge will provide information that can be used to develop novel senotherapeutics for health span and ARDs.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.2
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• pp.74-84
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• 2016

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens that affect both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The incidence and prevalence of NTM lung disease are increasing worldwide and rapidly becoming a major public health problem. For the diagnosis of NTM lung disease, patients suspected to have NTM lung disease are required to meet all clinical and microbiologic criteria. The development of molecular methods allows the characterization of new species and NTM identification at a subspecies level. Even after the identification of NTM species from respiratory specimens, clinicians should consider the clinical significance of such findings. Besides the limited options, treatment is lengthy and varies by species, and therefore a challenge. Treatment may be complicated by potential toxicity with discouraging outcomes. The decision to start treatment for NTM lung disease is not easy and requires careful individualized analysis of risks and benefits. Clinicians should be alert to those unique aspects of NTM lung disease concerning diagnosis with advanced molecular methods and treatment with limited options. Current recommendations and recent advances for diagnosis and treatment of NTM lung disease are summarized in this article.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2022

Cardiovascular disease, especially ischemic heart disease, is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac repair is one of the most promising strategies to address advanced cardiovascular diseases. Despite moderate improvement in heart function via stem cell therapy, there is no evidence of significant improvement in mortality and morbidity beyond standard therapy. The most salutary effect of stem cell therapy are attributed to the paracrine effects and the stem cell-derived exosomes are known as a major contributor. Hence, exosomes are emerging as a promising therapeutic agent and potent biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, they play a role as cellular cargo and facilitate intercellular communication. However, the clinical use of exosomes is hindered by the absence of a standard operating procedures for exosome isolation and characterization, problems related to yield, and heterogeneity. In addition, the successful clinical application of exosomes requires strategies to optimize cargo, improve targeted delivery, and reduce the elimination of exosomes. In this review, we discuss the basic concept of exosomes and stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease, and introduce current efforts to overcome the limitations and maximize the benefit of exosomes including engineered biomimetic exosomes.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.288-292
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• 1997

Malaria is a febrile disease caused by protozoan parasites, genus Plasmodium. In Korea., indigenous malaria has been believed to be eradicated by 1984, and, thereafter, all of the reported cases were imported malaria. But since the first case report of re-emerging indigenous malaria in 1993, increasing number of cases were reported reaching more than 350 cases in 1996. However, indigenous malaria in children has not been reported yet. We experienced two cases of indigenous malaria in sisters who were 7 and 5 years old, respectively. Elder sister was presented with periodic fever, splenomegaly and mild headache. She had been to Guam before 4 months of the onset of symptoms. Younger sister was suffered from fever and splenomegaly and has not been abroad. They were diagnosed by examination of peripheral blood smear to be infected with Plasmodium vivax and were treated with hydroxychloroquine and primaquine successfully. These cases are believed to be first re-emerging cases of indigenous malaria in children, and malaria should be included in the differential diagnosis of unexplained febrile children.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.93-106
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• 2023

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic viruses become critical public health, economic, societal, and cultural burdens. The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic reveals needs for effective preparedness and responsiveness against the emergence of variants and the next virus outbreak. The targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) significantly contributes to the acquisition of viral genome sequences directly from clinical specimens. Using this advanced NGS technology, the genomic epidemiology and surveillance play a critical role in identifying of infectious source and origin, tracking of transmission chains and virus evolution, and characterizing the virulence and developing of vaccines during the outbreak. In this review, we highlight the platforms and preparation of targeted NGS for the viral genomics. We also demonstrate the application of this strategy to take advantage of the responsiveness and prevention of emerging zoonotic viruses. This article provides broad and deep insights into the preparedness and responsiveness for the next zoonotic virus outbreak.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.309-323
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• 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides that have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recent studies provided clear evidence that microRNAs are abundant in the lung, liver and kidney and modulate a diverse spectrum of their functions. Moreover, a large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and endometrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases. As a consequence of extensive participation of miRNAs in normal functions, alteration and/or abnormalities in miRNAs should have importance in human diseases. Beside their important roles in patterning and development, miRNAs also orchestrated responses to pathogen infections. Particularly, emerging evidence indicates that viruses use their own miRNAs to manipulate both cellular and viral gene expression. Furthermore, viral infection can exert a profound impact on the host cellular miRNA expression profile, and several RNA viruses have been reported to interact directly with cellular miRNAs and/or to use these miRNAs to augment their replication potential. Here I briefly summarize the newly discovered roles of miRNAs in various human diseases including infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and enodmetrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.87-87
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• 2013

The interface between nanomaterials and biosystems is emerging as one of the broadest and most dynamic areas of science and technology, bringing together biology, chemistry, physics and many areas of engineering, biomedicine. The combination of these diverse areas of research promised to yield revolutionary advances in healthcare, medicine, and life science. For example, the creation of new and powerful nanosensors that enable direct, sensitive, and rapid analysis of biological and chemical species can advance the diagnosis and treatment of disease, discovery and screening of new drug molecules. Nanowire based sensors are emerging as a powerful and general platform for ultrasensitive and multiplex detection of biological and chemical species. Here, we present the studies about noble metal nanowire sensors that can be used for sensitive detection of a wide-range of biological and chemical species including nucleic acids, proteins, and toxic metal ions. Moreover, the optical and electrochemical applications of noble metal nanowires are introduced. Noble metal nanowires are successfully used as plasmonic antennas and nanoelectrodes, thereby provide a pathway for a single molecule sensor, in vivo neural recording, and molecular injection and detection in a single living cell.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.80 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a critical condition with high morbidity and mortality. Although several medications are available, there are no definite treatments. However, recent advances in the understanding of stem and progenitor cells in the lung, and molecular changes during re-alveolization after pneumonectomy, have made it possible to envisage the regeneration of damaged lungs. With this background, numerous studies of stem cells and various stimulatory molecules have been undertaken, to try and regenerate destroyed lungs in animal models of COPD. Both the cell and drug therapies show promising results. However, in contrast to the successes in laboratories, no clinical trials have exhibited satisfactory efficacy, although they were generally safe and tolerable. In this article, we review the previous experimental and clinical trials, and summarize the recent advances in lung regeneration therapy for COPD. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations and future perspectives of this emerging field.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.235-239
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• 2018

Basil (Ocimum spp.) is a popular herb grown worldwide. During the past fifteen years, a downy mildew pathogen has caused considerable damage to basil cultivations. In August 2017, downy mildew disease symptoms were found on Basil Tree (or long foot Basil Tree), which was developed by the grafting of two basil varieties and is a continuous harvest plant with a woody trunk. The present study reports the occurrence of downy mildew disease in basil Tree and identifies the causal pathogen, as Peronospora belbahrii.