• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2012

Apoptosis is a physiological programmed cell death process. Tubercle bacilli inhibit apoptosis of alveolar macrophages and phagolysosome fusion. We investigated whether the Bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic member, Bfl-1/A1, plays an important role in the anti-apoptotic process during mycobacterial infection. PMA-treated human monocytoid THP-1 cells were infected with mycobacteria (H37Rv, BCG, and K-strain) at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 for 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 48, or 72 h. In addition, PMA-treated THP-1 cells were pretreated with specific inhibitors for 45 min before stimulation with mycobacteria at an MOI of 10 for 4 h. After the indicated time, the cells were subject to reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, and a Bfl-1/A1-specific Western blot was performed. In PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells, the expression level of Bfl-1/A1 mRNA was increased by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv infection. The mRNA level of Bfl-1/A1 peaked 3 h after MTB infection, then declined gradually until 9 h. However, Bfl-1/A1 mRNA induction gradually re-increased from 24 h to 72 h after MTB infection. No difference in Bfl-1/A1 expression was detected following infection with MTB H37Rv, K-strain, or M. bovis BCG. These results were not dependent on mycobacterial virulence. Moreover, mRNA levels of other anti-apoptotic molecules (Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL) were not increased after MTB H37Rv or K-strain infection. These results suggest that mycobacteria induce the innate immune host defense mechanisms that utilize Bfl-1/A1 molecules at early time points, regardless of virulence.

• Journal of Preventive Veterinary Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2019

Although canine brucellosis has been known to be an important re-emerging zoonosis, the pathophysiological mechanisms of Brucella canis infection remains clues to be solved. Different culture models, single and co-culture models, were constructed with canine epithelial cells, D17 and macrophage, DH82 to investigate the induction of immune responses in in vivo B. canis infection. Expression of genes related with induction of immune responses, Th1, Th2 and Th17, was compared in the two different models after the bacterial infection. In this study, expression of cytokine genes, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-23, and TNF-α was quantified in the DH82 at different time points using RT-qPCR in the two different culture systems after the infection. Cytokine genes related with Th1, IL-1β and TNF-α and Th17, IL-6 and IL-23 were expressed with time-dependent manners in the both systems (p<0.05). However, increase of Th2-related cytokine genes expression was not detectable in the both systems by comparison with control. The expression of Th1 and Th17 related cytokine genes was earlier in single cell culture than those in co-culture model (p<0.05). In general, amounts of the expressed genes were shown higher in single cell model than those in co-culture models. This study indicate that Th1 and Th17-associated immune responses are central to B. canis infection in dogs. In addition, it suggests a specific role of epithelial cells in the B. canis infection in vivo, which should resolved in the further study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.492-497
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• 2016

Objective : Decompressive craniectomy is an effective therapy to relieve high intracranial pressure after acute brain damage. However, the optimal timing for cranioplasty after decompression is still controversial. Many authors reported that early cranioplasty may contribute to improve the cerebral blood flow and brain metabolism. However, despite all the advantages, there always remains a concern that early cranioplasty may increase the chance of infection. The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate whether the early cranioplasty increase the infection rate. We also evaluated the risk factors of infection following cranioplasty. Methods : We retrospectively examined the results of 131 patients who underwent cranioplasty in our institution between January 2008 and June 2015. We divided them into early (${\leq}90days$) and late (>90 days after craniectomy) groups. We examined the risk factors of infection after cranioplasty. We analyzed the infection rate between two groups. Results : There were more male patients (62%) than female (38%). The mean age was 49 years. Infection occurred in 17 patients (13%) after cranioplasty. The infection rate of early cranioplasty was lower than that of late cranioplasty (7% vs. 20%; p=0.02). Early cranioplasty, non-metal allograft materials, re-operation before cranioplasty and younger age were the significant factors in the infection rate after cranioplasty (p<0.05). Especially allograft was a significant risk factor of infection (odds ratio, 12.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.24-47.33; p<0.01). Younger age was also a significant risk factor of infection after cranioplasty by multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-0.99; p=0.02). Conclusion : Early cranioplasty did not increase the infection rate in this study. The use of non-metal allograft materials influenced a more important role in infection in cranioplasty. Actually, timing itself was not a significant risk factor in multivariate analysis. So the early cranioplasty may bring better outcomes in cognitive functions or wound without raising the infection rate.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.857-862
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• 2016

Background: The prevalence of infection by the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini (O. viverrini), has remained high in Northeast Thailand where it is a major risk factor for the eventual development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The infection is acquired by the consumption of dishes containing unsafely prepared freshwater fish, a dietary tradition which has proved resistant to change. Since many people are aware that dosing with praziquantel (PZQ) is a successful treatment for an episode of the infection, there is a risk that, to avoid the long term consequences, they will engage in a cycle of infection, dosing and reinfection. Objectives: There is a dearth of studies of reinfection by O. viverrini, and the aims of this study were to assess re-infection rates in a typical province of Northeastern Thailand where O. viverrini infection is likely and to investigate factors associated with reinfection. Materials and Methods: A total of infected 607 villagers were treated with PZQ, and those found to be no longer infected were followed up at six-monthly intervals over 12 months. Results: At the end of this period data on 457 subjects were available for analysis using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, and 50 were found to have become reinfected, giving a cumulative reinfection rate of 10.9%. The results of a multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the only factor found to be associated with reinfection was past use of PZQ. Conclusions: Recommendations are made for future larger scale and better designed reinfection studies in the light of limitations of the current study. Further efforts are needed to discourage people from eating fish dishes likely to contain viable metacariae.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2013

Korean red ginseng has been shown to possess a variety of biological activities. However, little is known about antiviral activity of ginsenosides of Korean red ginseng. Here, we investigated the protective effect by oral administration of various ginsenosides on the lethal infection of haemagglutinating virus of Japan (HVJ) in mice. In a lethal infection model in which almost all mice infected with HVJ died within 15 days, the mice were administered orally (per os) with 1 mg/mouse of dammarane-type (ginsenoside-Rb1, -Rb2, -Rd, -Re, and -Rg2) or oleanolic acid-type (ginsenoside-Ro) ginsenosides 3, 2, and 1 d before virus infection. Ginsenoside-Rb2 showed the highest protective activity, although other dammarane-type and oleanolic acid-type ginsenosides also induced a significant protection against HVJ. However, neither the consecutive administration with a lower dosage (300 ${\mu}g$/mouse) nor the single administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (1 mg/mouse) was active. In comparison of the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products [20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3], 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, elicited a partial protection against HVJ. The protective effect of ginsenoside-Rb2 and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 on HVJ infection was confirmed by the reduction of virus titers in the lungs of HVJ-infected mice. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 is the most effective among ginsenosides from red ginseng to prevent the lethal infection of HVJ, so that this ginsenoside is a promising candidate as a mucosal immunoadjuvant to enhance antiviral activity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 1996

An epidemiological survey was performed to know the status of Cwptespori,mum sp. infection among the people in Seoul and Chollanam-do in 1992. One village of Chollanam-do (Hwasun-gun) which showed the highest oocyst positive rate was re-surveyed in 1995 for human infection and for cattle also. The subjected areas consisted of 8 urban villages (: dongs) of Seoul and 4 urban (: dongs) and 7 rural (: myonsl villages of Chollanam-do. A total of 3,146 fecal samples was collected randomly, and smears were made from formalin-ether sediments. They were examined for Cwptosporinium oocysts by modified acid fast staining. The overall oocyst positive rate was 79% (248/3,146), but the rate was remarkably different between Seoul and Chollanam-do, 0.5% (4/853) and 10.6% (244/2,293), respectively The average size of oocysts was 4.8 ± 0.5 by 4.2 ± 0.5 ㎛, compatible with C. pcnlum. In Chollanam-do, rural villages showed significantly higher rate (14.0%) than urban villages (3.7%). Especially the people in Iyang-myon, Hwasun- gun, a typical rural village, revealed a very high rate of 40.0% (74/185). Adults aged 51-70 years revealed the highest positive rate among all age groups. At the re-survey of the same village of Hwasun-fun in 1995, 44 (35.2%) of 125 villagers and 14 (93.3%) of IS cattle examined were positive for C. pnnpum oocysts. The results suggest that C. pnnpum is highly prevalent in rural areas of Chollanam-do, and an important source or mode of infection seems to be contaminated water or contact with the feces of infected cattle.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.325-328
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• 1993

The pedicled omental flap has been used for treatment of various kind of complications in thoraxcic surgery. Its property of promoting neovascularization , immunilogic properties that limiting the spread of infection, providing soft tissue coverage are very effective in treatment esophageal fistulas. Also, congenital broncho-esophageal fistula [ BEF ] is a rare disease entity which was reported about 100 cases around the world. We experienced 27 years old female patient with Braimbridge type I congenital BEF. We performed division of BEF using stapler and pericardial patch coverage of esophageal side with concomittent left lower lobectomy. This patient was complicated with postoperative esophageal leakage with empyema thoracis. We have successfully managed these problems with re-thoracotomy and re-closure of esophageal fistula using Right Gastroepiploic Artery based pedicled omental flap wrapping around the esophageal anastomosis site. It is felt that pedicled omental flap is a very effective method to manage esophageal complication such as postoperative esophageal leakage.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.125-128
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• 1984

The management of the exposed cardiac pacemaker or its lead is a new challenge to the plastic surgeon. This complication is not rare. Coburn et al. [1972] reported less than 5 percent, but Sowton et al. [1974] showed that over a period of 19 years, in a series of 372 patients, the pacing system had to be removed because of local wound breakdown or infection in 10 percent of the cases. The methods used to treat exposure may vary from removal and re-introduction at anterior site to the rotation of local flaps to cover the exposed pacemaker. Recently we have experienced 6 times of migration and recurrent skin ulcerations without pyogenic infection overlying the pacemaker in one patient. We developed a new technique, anchoring the pacemaker to the clavicle by a wire through the hole of clavicle and by creating a pocket under the pectoralis major muscle. Then we would like to emphasize this operating method could be choice of treatment to prevent the migration of pacemaker and the ulceration of skin when complication of implantation of pacemaker is occurred.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2011

RNA silencing has had a large impact on biology in general, as well as on our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions, especially interactions between plants and viruses. While most of what we know about the mechanism of RNA silencing was deduced in the last 12 years, many of the interactions between plants and viruses, as well as virus-virus interactions in plants, which we now know are manifestations of RNA silencing, were the subject of decades of work from numerous laboratories. These laboratories were examining the nature and extent of phenomena such as recovery from infection, the formation of dark green islands resistant to re-infection, synergy between unrelated viruses and cross-protection between related viruses, all first described in the late 1920s. In this review, the relationships between these phenomena and their place in the defense mechanism we call RNA silencing will be described, to show how they are all linked.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.232-234
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• 2007

We describe the extrusion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt catheter from the anus after double perforation of the large bowel in a 3-year-old girl with hydrocephalus. She was admitted because the tip of the peritoneal catheter protruded 10 cm from the anus and clear cerebrospinal fluid dripped from the tip. Emergency laparotomy was performed. The distal peritoneal catheter perforated and penetrated the sigmoid colon and re-perforated into the rectal cavity. The distal peritoneal catheter was removed, the proximal catheter was exposed for external drainage, and intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered for 2 weeks. After control of infection, the shunt system was completely removed. Bowel perforation by a peritoneal catheter is a rare complication. Diagnosis is often difficult, delayed, and its incidence is likely underestimated. Most bowel perforation is the result of infection as opposed to technical errors.