• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.111-118
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• 2021

Periodontitis and periimplantitis are caused as a result of dental biofilm formation. This biofilm is composed of multiple species of pathogens. Therefore, controlling biofilm formation is critical for disease prevention. To inhibit biofilm formation, sugars can be used to interrupt lectin-involving interactions between bacteria or between bacteria and a host. In this study, we evaluated the effect of D-Arabinose on biofilm formation of putative periodontal pathogens as well as the quorum sensing activity and whole protein profiles of the pathogens. Crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy revealed that D-Arabinose inhibited biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Tannerella forsythia. D-Arabinose also significantly inhibited the activity of autoinducer 2 of F. nucleatum and the expression of representative bacterial virulence genes. Furthermore, D-Arabinose treatment altered the expression of some bacterial proteins. These results demonstrate that D-Arabinose can be used as an antibiofilm agent for the prevention of periodontal infections.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.100-105
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• 2020

A 25-year-old male presented with influenza-like symptoms and took Western anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs for 2 days. The symptoms aggravated, so the patient decided to rely on Korean medicine (KM). Based on the highly elevated hepatic enzymes (AST 4,621 IU/L and ALT 2,763 IU/L) with a positive result of anti-HAV IgM, he was diagnosed with hepatitis A. The patient was hospitalized and given herbal drugs (Chunggan-plus extract, Innae-Tang) and acupuncture, according to symptom differentiation, the accumulation of damp heat (濕熱蘊結)". The subjective symptoms (fatigue, nausea, gastric discomfort) including jaundice and dark urine as well as laboratory abnormalities gradually improved gradually in 10 hospital days, and the patient completely recovered in 25 days as an out-patient. This case presents a classic case of severe hepatitis A in 2019 Korean outbreak, and is informative to physicians for diagnosis and treatment in the traditional Korean medicine field.

• Mycobiology
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.94-108
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• 2023

Termitomyces sp. that grow in symbiosis with fungus-farming Termites have medicinal properties. However, they are rare in nature, and their artificial culture is challenging. The expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules favor the growth of cancer cells. The study evaluated the optimal conditions for the artificial culture of Termitomyces and their inhibitory activity on AXL and immune checkpoint molecules in lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma cell lines. The culture of 45 strains of Termitomyces was compared. Five strains with marked growth rates were selected. Four of the selected strains form a single cluster by sequence analysis. The mycelium of 4 selected strains produces more fungal mass in potato dextrose broth than in a mixed media. The bark was the most appropriate solid substrate for Termitomyces mycelia culture. The mycelium of all five selected strains showed a higher growth rate under normal CO₂ conditions. The culture broth, methanol, and ethyl acetate of one selected strain (T-120) inhibited the mRNA relative expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint molecules in cancer cell lines. Overall, these results suggest the potential usefulness of Termitomyces extracts as a coadjuvant therapy in malignant diseases.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.71.1-71.12
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• 2023

With the growing interest in companion animals and the rapidly expanding animal healthcare and pharmaceuticals market worldwide. With the advancements in RNAsequencing (RNA-seq) technology, it has become a valuable tool for understanding biological processes in companion animals and has multiple applications in animal healthcare. Historically, veterinary diagnoses and treatments relied solely on clinical symptoms and drugs used in human diseases. However, RNA-seq has emerged as an effective technology for studying companion animals, providing insights into their genetic information. The sequencing technology has revealed that not only messenger RNAs (mRNAs) but also noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) such as long ncRNAs and microRNAs can serve as biomarkers. Based on the examination of RNA-seq applications in veterinary medicine, particularly in dogs and cats, this review concludes that RNA-seq has significant potential as a diagnostic and research tool. It has enabled the identification of potential biomarkers for cancer and other diseases in companion animals. Further research and development are required to maximize the utilization of RNA-seq for improved disease diagnosis and therapeutic targeting in companion animals.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.12.1-12.17
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• 2024

Exosomes are double phospholipid membrane vesicles that are synthesized and secreted by a variety of cells, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, immune cells, are extracellular vesicles. Recent studies have revealed that exosomes can play a significant role in under both physiological and pathological conditions. They have been implicated in regulation of inflammatory responses, immune response, angiogenesis, tissue repair, and antioxidant activities, particularly in modulating immunity in autoimmune diseases (AIDs). Moreover, variations in the expression of exosome-related substances, such as miRNA and proteins, may not only offer valuable perspectives for the early warning, and prognostic assessment of various AIDs, but may also serve as novel markers for disease diagnosis. This article examines the impact of exosomes on the development of AIDs and explores their potential for therapeutic application.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.18.1-18.13
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• 2021

TLR signaling is critical for broad scale immune recognition of pathogens and/or danger molecules. TLRs are particularly important for the activation and the maturation of cells comprising the innate immune response. In recent years it has become apparent that several different TLRs regulate the function of lymphocytes as well, albeit to a lesser degree compared to innate immunity. TLR2 heterodimerizes with either TLR1 or TLR6 to broadly recognize bacterial lipopeptides as well as several danger-associated molecular patterns. In general, TLR2 signaling promotes immune cell activation leading to tissue inflammation, which is advantageous for combating an infection. Conversely, inappropriate or dysfunctional TLR2 signaling leading to an overactive inflammatory response could be detrimental during sterile inflammation and autoimmune disease. This review will highlight and discuss recent research advances linking TLR2 engagement to autoimmune inflammation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.21.1-21.22
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• 2021

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have strong immunosuppressive activity and are morphologically similar to conventional monocytes and granulocytes. The development and classification of these cells have, however, been controversial. The activation network of MDSCs is relatively complex, and their mechanism of action is poorly understood, creating an avenue for further research. In recent years, MDSCs have been found to play an important role in immune regulation and in effectively inhibiting the activity of effector lymphocytes. Under certain conditions, particularly in the case of tissue damage or inflammation, MDSCs play a leading role in the immune response of the central nervous system. In cancer, however, this can lead to tumor immune evasion and the development of related diseases. Under cancerous conditions, tumors often alter bone marrow formation, thus affecting progenitor cell differentiation, and ultimately, MDSC accumulation. MDSCs are important contributors to tumor progression and play a key role in promoting tumor growth and metastasis, and even reduce the efficacy of immunotherapy. Currently, a number of studies have demonstrated that MDSCs play a key regulatory role in many clinical diseases. In light of these studies, this review discusses the origin of MDSCs, the mechanisms underlying their activation, their role in a variety of clinical diseases, and their function in immune response regulation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.36.1-36.12
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• 2022

Dexamethasone (DEX) was the first drug shown to save lives of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients suffering from respiratory distress. A hyperactivated state of neutrophils was found in COVID-19 patients compared to non-COVID pneumonia cases. Given the beneficial effects of DEX in COVID-19 patients, we investigated the effects of DEX and of other immunomodulatory drugs vitamin D3 (VD3) and retinoic acid (RA) on neutrophil function. DEX, but not VD3 or RA, significantly inhibited all tested aspects of neutrophil function, e.g., degranulation, intracellular ROS production, CXCL8 release and NETosis. Interestingly, RA displayed the opposite effect by significantly increasing both CXCL8 and NET release by neutrophils. Taken together, these data suggest that the lower COVID-19 mortality in DEX-treated patients may in part be due to the dampening effect of DEX on the inflammatory neutrophil response, which could prevent neutrophil plugs with NETS in the lungs and other inflamed organs of patients.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.11.1-11.26
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• 2022

When epithelial cells are exposed to potentially threatening external stimuli such as allergens, bacteria, viruses, and helminths, they instantly produce "alarmin" cytokines, namely, IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP. These alarmins alert the immune system about these threats, thereby mobilizing host immune defense mechanisms. Specifically, the alarmins strongly stimulate type-2 immune cells, including eosinophils, mast cells, dendritic cells, type-2 helper T cells, and type-2 innate lymphoid cells. Given that the alarm-raising role of IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP was first detected in allergic and infectious diseases, most studies on alarmins focus on their role in these diseases. However, recent studies suggest that alarmins also have a broad range of effector functions in other pathological conditions, including psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Therefore, this review provides an update on the epithelium-derived cytokines in both allergic and non-allergic diseases. We also review the progress of clinical trials on biological agents that target the alarmins and discuss the therapeutic potential of these agents in non-allergic diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.23.1-23.20
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• 2020

Sepsis is conceptually defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction that is caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Although there has been significant advancement in recent decades in defining and understanding sepsis pathology, clinical management of sepsis is challenging due to difficulties in diagnosis, a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers, and treatment options that are largely limited to antibiotic therapy and fundamental supportive measures. The lack of reliable diagnostic and prognostic tests makes it difficult to triage patients who are in need of more urgent care. Furthermore, while the acute inpatient treatment of sepsis warrants ongoing attention and investigation, efforts must also be directed toward longer term survival and outcomes. Sepsis survivors experience incomplete recovery, with long-term health impairments that may require both cognitive and physical treatment and rehabilitation. This review summarizes recent advances in sepsis prognosis research and discusses progress made in elucidating the underlying causes of prolonged health deficits experienced by patients surviving the early phases of sepsis.