• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.10
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• 2023

Characterization as well as prediction of the secondary and tertiary structure of hypothetical proteins from their amino acid sequences uploaded in databases by in silico approach are the critical issues in computational biology. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), which is responsible for pneumonia alike diseases, possesses a wide range of proteins of which many are still uncharacterized. The current study was conducted to reveal the physicochemical characteristics and structures of an uncharacterized protein Q6S8D9_SARS of SARS-CoV. Following the common flowchart of characterizing a hypothetical protein, several sophisticated computerized tools e.g., ExPASy Protparam, CD Search, SOPMA, PSIPRED, HHpred, etc. were employed to discover the functions and structures of Q6S8D9_SARS. After delineating the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein, some quality evaluating tools e.g., PROCHECK, ProSA-web etc. were performed to assess the structures and later the active site was identified also by CASTp v.3.0. The protein contains more negatively charged residues than positively charged residues and a high aliphatic index value which make the protein more stable. The 2D and 3D structures modeled by several bioinformatics tools ensured that the proteins had domain in it which indicated it was functional protein having the ability to trouble host antiviral inflammatory cytokine and interferon production pathways. Moreover, active site was found in the protein where ligand could bind. The study was aimed to unveil the features and structures of an uncharacterized protein of SARS-CoV which can be a therapeutic target for development of vaccines against the virus. Further research are needed to accomplish the task.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.209-218
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• 2023

In induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), pluripotency is induced artificially by introducing the transcription factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc. When a transgene is introduced using a viral vector, the transgene may be integrated into the host genome and cause a mutation and cancer. No integration occurs when an episomal vector is used, but this method has a limitation in that remnants of the virus or vector remain in the cell, which limits the use of such iPSCs in therapeutic applications. Chemical reprogramming, which relies on treatment with small-molecule compounds to induce pluripotency, can overcome this problem. In this method, reprogramming is induced according to the gene expression pattern of extra-embryonic endoderm (XEN) cells, which are used as an intermediate stage in pluripotency induction. Therefore, iPSCs can be induced only from established XEN cells. We induced XEN cells using small molecules that modulate a signaling pathway and affect epigenetic modifications, and devised a culture method which can produce homogeneous XEN cells. At least 4 passages were required to establish morphologically homogeneous chemically induced XEN (CiXEN) cells, whose properties were similar to those of XEN cells, as revealed through cellular and molecular characterization. Chemically iPSCs derived from CiXEN cells showed characteristics similar to those of mouse embryonic stem cells. Our results show that the homogeneity of CiXEN cells is critical for the efficient induction of pluripotency by chemicals.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.104-112
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• 2023

COVID-19 caused a catastrophe in human health. People infected with COVID-19 also suffer from various clinical illnesses during and after the infection. The Boerhavia diffusa plant is well known for its antihypertensive activity. ACE-II inhibitors and calcium channel blockers are reported as mechanisms for the antihypertensive activity of B. diffusa phytoconstituents. Various studies have said ACE-II is the virus's binding site to attack host cells. COVID-19 treatment commonly employs a variety of synthetic antiviral and steroidal drugs. As a result, other clinical illnesses, such as hypertension and hyperglycemia, emerge as serious complications. Safe and effective drug delivery is a prime objective of the drug development process. COVID-19 is treated with various herbal treatments; however, they are not widely used due to their low potency. Many herbal plants and formulations are used to treat COVID-19 infection, in which B. diffusa is the most widely used plant. The current study relies on discovering active phytoconstituents with ACE-II inhibitory activity in the B. diffusa plant. As a result, it can be used as a treatment option for patients with COVID-19 and related diseases. Different phytoconstituents of the B. diffusa plant were selected from the reported literature. The activity of phytoconstituents against ACE-II proteins has been studied. Molecular docking and ligand-protein interaction computation tools are used in the in-silico experiment. Physicochemical, drug-likeness, water solubility, lipophilicity, and pharmacokinetic parameters are used to evaluate phytoconstituents. Liriodenine has the best drug-likeness, bioactivity, and binding score characteristics among the selected ligands. The in-silico study aims to find the therapeutic potential of B. diffusa phytoconstituents against ACE-II. Targeting ACE-II also shows an effect against SARS-CoV-2. It can serve as a rationale for designing a drug for patient infected with COVID-19 and associated diseases.

• Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.272-286
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• 2019

Developing elite hybrid rice varieties is one important objective of rice breeding programs. Several genes related to male sterilities, restores, and pollinators have been identified through map-based gene cloning within natural variations of rice. These identified genes are good targets for introducing genetic traits in molecular breeding. This study was conducted to breed elite hybrid lines with major genes related to hybrid traits and disease/insect resistance in 240 genetic resources and F₁ hybrid combinations of rice. Molecular markers were reset for three major hybrid genes (S5, Rf3, Rf4) and thirteen disease/insect resistant genes (rice bacterial blight resistance genes Xa3, Xa4, xa5, Xa7, xa13, Xa21; blast resistance genes Pita, Pib, Pi5, Pii; brown planthopper resistant genes Bph18(t) and tungro virus resistance gene tsv1). Genotypes were then analyzed using molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS). Biological assay was then performed at the Red River Delta region in Vietnam using eleven F₁ hybrid combinations and two control vatieties. Results showed that nine F₁ hybrid combinations were highly resistant to rice bacterial blight and blast. Finally, eight F₁ hybrid rice varieties with resistance to disease/insect were selected from eleven F₁ hybrid combinations. Their characteristics such as agricultural traits and yields were then investigated. These F₁ hybrid rice varieties developed with major genes related to hybrid traits and disease/insect resistant genes could be useful for hybrid breeding programs to achieve high yield with biotic and abiotic resistance.

• ALGAE
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.295-306
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• 2023

Human coronavirus diseases, particularly severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, still remain a persistent public health issue, and many recent studies are focusing on the quest for new leads against coronaviruses. To contribute to this growing pool of knowledge and explore the available marine natural products against coronaviruses, this study investigated the antiviral effects of fucoxanthin isolated from Sargassum siliquastrum-a brown alga found on Jeju Island, South Korea. The antiviral effects of fucoxanthin were confirmed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-infected Vero cells, and its structural characteristics were verified in silico using molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulations and in vitro colorimetric method. Fucoxanthin inhibited the infection in a concentration-dependent manner, without showing cytotoxicity. Molecular docking simulations revealed that fucoxanthin binds to the angiotensinconverting enzyme 2-spike protein (binding energy -318.306 kcal mol^-1) and main protease (binding energy -205.118 kcal mol^-1). Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations showed that fucoxanthin remains docked to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-spike protein for 20 ns, whereas it breaks away from main protease after 3 ns. Also, the in silico prediction of the fucoxanthin was verified through the in vitro colorimetric method by inhibiting the binding between angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 and spike protein in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that fucoxanthin exhibits antiviral effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 by blocking the entry of the virus. Therefore, fucoxanthin from S. siliquastrum can be a potential candidate for treating coronavirus infection.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권5호
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• pp.41.1-41.16
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• 2022

The human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 has chemotactic and modulatory activities in various immune cells, including dendritic cells. Because of its characteristics, LL-37 can be considered an adjuvant for vaccine development. In this study, we confirmed the possible adjuvant activity of LL-37 in mucosal vaccine development against Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) by means of intranasal immunization in C57BL/6 and human dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (hDPP4)-transgenic (hDPP4-Tg) mice. Intranasal immunization using the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV spike protein (S-RBD) recombined with LL-37 (S-RBD-LL-37) induced an efficient mucosal IgA and systemic IgG response with virus-neutralizing activity, compared with S-RBD. Ag-specific CTL stimulation was also efficiently induced in the lungs of mice that had been intranasally immunized with S-RBD-LL-37, compared with S-RBD. Importantly, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to reduced immune cell infiltration into the lungs after infection with MERS-CoV. Finally, intranasal immunization of hDPP4-Tg mice with S-RBD-LL-37 led to enhanced protective efficacy, with increased survival and reduced body weight loss after challenge infection with MERS-CoV. Collectively, these results suggest that S-RBD-LL-37 is an effective intranasal vaccine candidate molecule against MERS-CoV infection.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.28-36
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the impact of socioeconomic factors and sexual orientation-related attributes on the rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination and infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: A web-based survey, supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, was conducted among paying members of the leading online portal for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) community in Korea. The study participants were MSM living in Korea (n=942). COVID-19 vaccination and infection were considered dependent variables, while sexual orientation-related characteristics and adherence to non-pharmacological intervention (NPI) practices served as primary independent variables. To ensure analytical precision, nested logistic regression analyses were employed. These were further refined by dividing respondents into 4 categories based on sexual orientation and disclosure (or "coming-out") status. Results: Among MSM, no definitive association was found between COVID-19 vaccination status and factors such as socioeconomic or sexual orientation-related attributes (with the latter including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] status, sexual orientation, and disclosure experience). However, key determinants influencing COVID-19 infection were identified. Notably, people living with HIV (PLWH) exhibited a statistically significant predisposition towards COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, greater adherence to NPI practices among MSM corresponded to a lower likelihood of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: This study underscores the high susceptibility to COVID-19 among PLWH within the LGBTQ+ community relative to their healthy MSM counterparts. Consequently, it is crucial to advocate for tailored preventive strategies, including robust NPIs, to protect these at-risk groups. Such measures are essential in reducing the disparities that may emerge in a post-COVID-19 environment.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.199-206
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• 2014

목적: 본 연구는 인플루엔자 B 바이러스에 대한 oseltamivir의 효능을 알아보고자 치료군과 비치료군간의 임상적 특징의 차이를 비교하였다. 방법: 2012년 1월부터 2012년 7월까지 입원하거나 외래 진료실을 방문하여 인플루엔자 B 바이러스에 감염된 소아 환자를 대상으로 후향적으로 의무기록을 분석하였다. 결과: 인플루엔자 B 바이러스에 의한 폐렴, 급성 기관지염, 급성세기관지염, 크룹으로 진단된 72명의 평균 나이는 $3.6{\pm}2.8$세 였다. oseltamivir 치료군은 38명(53%), 비치료군은 34명(47%)이었고 치료 시기를 고려하지 않았을 때 두 군의 입원 기간($4.18{\pm}2.10$일 vs $4.79{\pm}1.49$일, P=.17), 총 발열 기간($5.32{\pm}2.07$일 vs $6.41{\pm}3.25$일, P=.09)을 포함한 임상적 양상에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 비치료군, 48시간 이내 치료군, 48시간 이후 치료군간의 비교에서 임상적 양상에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 3세 이하의 환자들을 대상으로 두 군간의 비교에서도 유의한 차이가 없었다. 결론: Oseltamivir 복용 전 치료군과 비치료군간의 임상적 특성에서 유의한 차이를 나타내는 항목이 없어 oseltamivir의 적응증을 도출하기 어려웠으며 치료 후 임상 경과의 유의한 차이도 없었다. 그러나 투약 시점에 따른 비교에서는 발열 시작 48시간 이내에 osetamivir를 투여한 군에서 발열 기간이 감소하는 경향을 보여주었으므로 향후 투약 시기를 고려하여 연령별 분석, 인플루엔자 B바이러스 종에 대한 분석을 포함하는 대단위 연구가 필요하다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.228-235
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• 1999

Objectives: Despite the importance of human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) transmission through heterosexual contact, the features of heterosexual transmission has not been well studied in Korea. So we conducted a cross sectional study to determine the transmission rates in married couples and assess risk factors for male to female heterosexual transmission of HIV. Methods: 169 HIV-infected males and their female sex partners were recruited from 1985 to tune 1998. We examined female sex partner's HIV infection status and interviewed male index partners and their female sex partners about demographic characteristics and sexual practices. We analysed heterosexual transmission rate by epidemiologic characteristics, disease status and sexual practices. And we assessed risk factors for HIV infection by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: 30 female sex partners were infected at enrollment, yielding an transmission rate of 17.8%. Among couples who had used condoms consistently, none of the female sex partners was infected with HIV. In univariate analysis the significant risk factors were full blown AIDS status (OR=4.1, 95% CI: 1.49-11.43) and low CD4 T cell count of index partners at enrollment (OR=7.8, 95% CI: 2.19-27.80). In multivariate analysis HIV-1 RNA levels was significant risk factor when adjusted by CD4 T cell courts and mean sexual contacts per month (OR=19.2, 95% CI: 1.03-357.59) Conclusion: The risk of male to female heterosexual transmission increased with advanced stages of HIV infection in the index male partners.

• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.221-239
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• 2009

Background: The recent outbreak of the novel strain of influenza A (H1N1) virus has raised a global concern of the future risk of pandemic. Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) has been combatting against contagious diseases and developed its own particular and efficient way in treating those diseases. Objectives: Provide a distinctive and effective TKM method in understanding the principles of treatment, prevention, and contraindications against influenza A through case histories. Method: We revised case histories of eminent doctors of Ming and Qing dynasties according to their clinical manifestations similar to those of influenza A. We also verified prescriptions of the "Dong-uibogam(東醫寶鑑)" through examining clinical practices of China today. Results: 1. The subtypes of Warm disease; Wind Warmth and Pestilence has the most similar clinical manifestation in comparison to Influenza A. Specifying these terms is important in recognizing and classifying various diseases under the name of Warm disease. 2. TKM considered not only external factors but also individual factors like general condition, diet, emotion, constitutional types, etc in the treatment of febrile diseases. 3. TKM developed a new way in the treatment of contagious diseases. considering the characteristics of each pathogen. TKM described the Warm pathogen being light as a feather, which enters through the nose, principally affecting the Lung. Therefore, they emphasized treatment with Pungent Sweet Cooling Moistening[辛甘凉潤] method. 4. As the conservation of fluid and humor is the primordial concern in the treatment of Warm disease, they restricted release of the exterior with pungent-warm and purgation method. The purgation methods was used exclusively to decrease fever and preserve fluid and humor. 5. The only differentiating characteristics of Influenza A with seasonal influenza are vomiting and diarrhea. Case research revealed the possibility of these manifestations to be a mechanism of restoration. 6. TKM provides alimento prevention method like Mint Pear Porridge, mung bean, and etc also combination of herbal medicine. Also emphasized in the conservation of essence for the prevention of contagious diseases. Conclusions: TKM developed its unique way in understanding the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of contagious diseases and formed its independent scheme of Warm Disease. This knowledge in febrile contagious disease is relevant today in providing diverse treatment and prevention for influenza A.