• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 1988

To establish a laboratory animal model for study on development of diagnostic methods for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus(IBRV), experimental infection of the virus to rabbits immunosuppressed with dexamethasone(DX) were carried out. Results obtained throughout the experiments were as follows. When lymphocyte activity was measured by lymphocyte transformation to phytohaemagglutinin in parallel with total and differential leucocyte counting, both groups treated with 2.0mg DX once and 1.0mg DX daily showed marked immunosuppression between 5 to 72 hrs. after administration. The degree of suppression of lymphocyte activities was more remarkable in the latter group. IBRV PQ7 strain at $10^{7.5}\;TCID_{50}/0.2ml$ was inoculated into conjunctival sacs of rabbits immunosuppressed with DX and non-treated. During 3 weeks observation, the immunosuppressed groups revealed mild conjunctivitis, viremia and virus recovery by 33.3 to 100%, whereas the DX nontreated group showed viremia and virus recovery with no clinical conjunctivitis by one of three rabbits(33.3%). In conclusion, it was indicated that experimental infection of IBRV PQ7 strain to rabbit was limited in prerequisite to immunologic modification by administration of immunosuppressive drugs.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.240-245
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• 1995

In order to find out the effect of temperature and shading on the growth and major disease infection of Eutrema wasabi Matsum., experiments were at growth chamber condition and field. Plant height, petiole and rhizome of wasabi were obvious decreased with increase the temperature, from which the optimum air temperature for the plant growth were estimated to be 17$^{\circ}C$. The light intensity of the treatment with 75% shading net was favorable to the length of main rhizome, rhizome weight and whole plant weight. Infection ratio of black leg and soft rot were increased at high temperature condition, however their infection ratio were decreased with increase the shading condition.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.23 no.2 s.73
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• pp.114-120
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• 1995

Colletotrichum dematium, C. gloeosporioides and Glomerella cingulata were detected in seed samples collected from diseased red pepper (Capsicum annuum) using blotter method. C. gloeosporioides was the predominant species in seed samples tested and followed by C. dematium and G. cingulata. When the seed components were plated C. dematium, C. gloeosporioides and G. cingulata were detected from seed coat, endosperm and cotyledon. The three anthracnose fungi were recorded more frequently from seed coat than that of observed in the endosperm and cotyledon. Seed infection with C. dematium, C. gloeosporioides and G. cingulata caused seed rotting, damping off and seedling blight of red pepper plants. According to the inoculation experiments, it was shown that C. gloeosporioides was the most virulent among three species. C. dematium showed weak virulence when the plants were wounded, and G. cingulata was wound parasite or weakly virulent on red fruits. Benlate T (benomyl+thiram) and Homai (thiophnate-methyl+thiram) were effective to anthracnose fungi when treated to infected seeds.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 1999

A fungal infection assay between normal and transgenic potato harboring chitinase gene in cultivar Belchip was investigated. In the first stage of experiment, seven transgenic lines having 12cm tall were tested for their resistance against potato late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans by infection with the zoospores, artificially, Susceptibility to potato late blight infection could be classified into three types based on the rate. In terms of resistance to the disease, two lines were higher, two lines were more suppressive, and three lines were similar as compared with the control. In the following experiment, only 2 risistant lines and 1 suppressed line were used to confirm the resistance again. The results of both experiments were similar. Furthermore, two highly resistant transgenic lines grown in field exhibited a higher resistance than control under the conditions of natural ocurrence of the fungal disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.127-134
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• 1994

As a series of studies to investigate the effect of immunosuppression on Ascaris suum infection in undefinitive hosts, a delicate relationship between host and parasite, in the present studies golden hamsters were alloted to experiment 1(normal undefinitive host group) and experiment 2(immunosuppressive group treated with prednisolone acetate) and inoculated with a single dose of 1,500 embryonated Ascaris suum eggs. The recovery rates, sizes and features of the larvae and immunological responses in the hamsters were chronologically monitored according to somatic migration. In both experiments, the larvae failed to develop into the adults, but the more and larger larvae were observed for a longer period from experiment 2 in comparison with experiment 1. The numbers of the mast cells in the small intestinal mucosa and mesenteric lymph nodes, of the goblet cells in the small intestinal mucosa and of T-cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes, spleens and cardiac blood from experiment 2 were fewer than those from the experiment 1. In general, increasing of these cells followed by expulsion of the worms in the both groups. Profound leukopenia due to lymphopenia was found through trial period in experiment 2. Considering the experimental results, development or expulsion mechanism of somatic migrant larvae may be related to lymphopenia and temporary increasing tendency of the mast cells, the goblet cells and T-cells. In addition, patent infection of A suum in the hamsters was not obviously observed in spite of immunosuppression by prednisolone acetate.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2017

Background: Periodontitis is generally a chronic disorder characterized by the breakdown of tooth-supporting tissues. P. gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod, is one of the major pathogens associated with periodontitis. Frequently, P. gingivalis infection leads to cell death. However, the correlation between P. gingivalis-induced cell death and periodontal inflammation remains to be elucidated. Among cell deaths, the death of immune cells appears to play a significant role in inflammatory response. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine P. gingivalis-induced cell death, focusing on autophagy and apoptosis in THP-1 cells. Methods: Human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) was used for all experiments. Autophagy induced by P. gingivalis in THP-1 cells was examined by Cyto ID staining. Intracellular autophagic vacuoles were observed by fluorescence microscopy using staining Acridine orange (AO); and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) was used to inhibit autophagy. Total cell death was measured by LDH assay. Cytokine production was measured by an ELISA method. Results: P. gingivalis induced autophagy in an MOI-dependent manner in THP-1 cells, but 3-MA treatment decreased autophagy and increased the apoptotic blebs. P. gingivalis infection did not increase apoptosis compared to the control cells, whereas inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA significantly increased apoptosis in P. gingivalis-infected THP-1 cells. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA also increased total cell deaths and inflammatory cytokine production, including $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Conclusion: P. gingivalis induced autophagy in THP-1 cells, but the inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA stimulated apoptosis, leading to increased cell deaths and pro-inflammatory cytokines production. Hence, the modulation of cell deaths may provide a mechanism to fight against invading microorganisms in host cells and could be a promising way to control inflammation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.sup1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2001

Objective : We investigated the feasibility of a double suicide gene/prodrug therapy, involving direct introduction of the herpes simplex virus Type 1 thymidine kinase(TK) gene and the Escherichia coli cytosine deaminase(CD) gene, via a recombinant adenoviral vector and ganciclovir(GCV) and/or 5-fluorocytosine(5-FC) treatment, in C6 glioma cells. Methods : Efficient gene transfer and transduction of C6 glioma cells via a recombinant adenovirus were evaluated by infecting cells with adenovirus bearing the ${\beta}$-galactosidase gene and then staining cells with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-13-D-galactoside. CD/TK expression in cells infected with adenovirus bearing the CD/TK gene(ad-CD/TK) was examined by immunoblotting analysis. For in vitro cytotoxicity experiments, the cells were infected with ad-CD/TK or ad-${\Delta}E1$(as a control). After addition of a variety of concentrations of GCV and 5-FU, either separately or in combination, cell viability was determined by staining the cells with crystal violet solution 6 days after infection. Result : C6 glioma cells were efficiently transduced with recombinant adenoviral vector at multiplicities of infection of 200 or more. In vitro cytotoxicity of GCV and/or 5-FC, either alone or in combination, was exclusively observed in the cells transduced with ad-CD/TK. Obvious cytotoxicity(>50% inhibition) was observed in the presence of 5-FC at concentrations greater than 30ug/ml or GCV at concentrations greater than 0.3ug/ml at a multiplicity of infection of 100. Additionally, cytotoxicity in the presence of both GCV and 5-FC was greater than that after sinlge-prodrug treatments, indicating additive effects of the prodrug treatments. Conclusion : The administration of a double-suicide gene/prodrug therapy might have great potential in the treatment of brain tumors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.10
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• pp.1383-1392
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• 2021

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) that produce Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase are increasingly reported worldwide and have become more and more resistant to nearly all antibiotics during the past decade. The emergence of K. pneumoniae strains with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems, which are used as a last resort treatment option, is a significant threat to hospitalized patients worldwide as K. pneumoniae infection is responsible for a high mortality rate in the elderly and immunodeficient individuals. This study used Lactobacillus fermentum as a candidate probiotic for treating CRE-related infections and investigated its effectiveness. We treated mice with L. fermentum originating from the vaginal fluid of a healthy Korean woman and evaluated the Lactobacilli's efficacy in preventive, treatment, nonestablishment, and colonization mouse model experiments. Compared to the control, pre-treatment with L. fermentum significantly reduced body weight loss in the mouse models, and all mice survived until the end of the study. The oral administration of L. fermentum after carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella (CRK) infection decreased mortality and illness severity during a 2-week observation period and showed that it affects other strains of CRK bacteria. Also, the number of Klebsiella bacteria was decreased to below 5.5 log₁₀ CFU/ml following oral administration of L. fermentum in the colonization model. These findings demonstrate L. fermentum's antibacterial activity and its potential to treat CRE infection in the future.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.112-124
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• 2019

Barley worldwide is affected seriously by Fusarium seedling blight (FSB) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) diseases caused by the Fusarium species. The objective of this study was to facilitate the resistance of hulled and hull-less barley at different growth stages to F. culmorum according to direct parameters: disease rating (DR), fresh weight of leaves and roots, kernel weight per spike, kernel number per spike, plump kernels, and indirect parameters - chlorophyll a fluorescence (CF). Plate assay, greenhouse and field tests were performed on 30 spring barley doubled haploid (DH) lines and their parents infected with Fusarium culmorum. Direct parameters proved that hulled genotypes show less symptoms. Most studied chlorophyll a fluorescence (CF) parameters (apart from DIo/CS - amount of energy dissipated from PSII for laboratory test, TRo/CS - amount of excitation energy trapped in PSII reaction centers, ETo/CS - amount of energy used for electron transport and RC/CS - number of active reaction centres in the state of fully reduced PSII reaction center in field experiment) were significantly affected by F. culmorum infection. In all experiments, hulled genotypes had higher values of CF parameters compared to hull-less ones. Significant correlations were detected between direct and indirect parameters and also between various environments. It was revealed that ABS/CS, TRo/CS, and RC/CS have significant positive correlation in greenhouse test and field experiment. Significant correlations suggest the possibility of applying the CF parameters in selection of barley DH lines resistant to F. culmorum infection.