• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1111-1118
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• 2023

As a long-term condition that affects the airways and lungs, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by inflammation, emphysema, breathlessness, chronic cough, and sputum production. Currently, the bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed for COPD are mostly off-target, warranting new disease management strategies. Accumulating research has revealed the gut-lung axis to be a bidirectional communication system. Cigarette smoke, a major exacerbating factor in COPD and lung inflammation, affects gut microbiota composition and diversity, causing gut microbiota dysbiosis, a condition that has recently been described in COPD patients and animal models. For this review, we focused on the gut-lung axis, which is influenced by gut microbial metabolites, bacterial translocation, and immune cell modulation. Further, we have summarized the findings of preclinical and clinical studies on the association between gut microbiota and COPD to provide a basis for using gut microbiota in therapeutic strategies against COPD. Our review also proposes that further research on probiotics, prebiotics, short-chain fatty acids, and fecal microbiota transplantation could assist therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota to alleviate COPD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.1268-1280
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• 2023

Echinacoside (ECH) is a naturally occurring phenylethanoid glycoside, isolated from Echinacea angustifolia, and this study aimed to analyze its effect on thermogenesis and its interaction with dopaminergic receptors 1 and 5 (DRD1 and DRD5) in 3T3-L1 white adipocytes and mice models. We employed RT-PCR, immunoblot, immunofluorescence, a staining method, and an assay kit to determine its impact. ECH showed a substantial increase in browning signals in vitro and a decrease in adipogenic signals in vivo. Additionally, analysis of the iWAT showed that the key genes involved in beiging, mitochondrial biogenesis, and ATP-dependent thermogenesis were upregulated while adipogenesis and lipogenesis genes were downregulated. OXPHOS complexes, Ca²⁺ signaling proteins as well as intracellular Ca²⁺ levelswere also upregulated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes following ECH treatment. This was collectively explained by mechanistic studies which showed that ECH mediated the beiging process via the DRD1/5-cAMP-PKA and subsequent downstream molecules, whereas it co-mediated the α1-AR-signaling thermogenesis via the DRD1/5/SERCA2b/RyR2/CKmt pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Animal experiments revealed that there was a 12.28% reduction in body weight gain after the ECH treatment for six weeks. The effects of ECH treatment on adipose tissue can offer more insights into the treatment of obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.4.1-4.19
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• 2024

TNF, a pleiotropic proinflammatory cytokine, is important for protective immunity and immunopathology during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, which causes tuberculosis (TB) in humans. TNF is produced primarily by phagocytes in the lungs during the early stages of Mtb infection and performs diverse physiological and pathological functions by binding to its receptors in a context-dependent manner. TNF is essential for granuloma formation, chronic infection prevention, and macrophage recruitment to and activation at the site of infection. In animal models, TNF, in cooperation with chemokines, contributes to the initiation, maintenance, and clearance of mycobacteria in granulomas. Although anti-TNF therapy is effective against immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, it carries the risk of reactivating TB. Furthermore, TNF-associated inflammation contributes to cachexia in patients with TB. This review focuses on the multifaceted role of TNF in the pathogenesis and prevention of TB and underscores the importance of investigating the functions of TNF and its receptors in the establishment of protective immunity against and in the pathology of TB. Such investigations will facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies that target TNF signaling, which makes beneficial and detrimental contributions to the pathogenesis of TB.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.30.1-30.18
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• 2023

About 0.8 million people die because of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection each year. In around 5% of infected adults, the immune system is ineffective in countering HBV infection, leading to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). CHB is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, which can lead to patient death. Unfortunately, although current treatments against CHB allow control of HBV infection, they are unable to achieve complete eradication of the virus. Cytokines of the IFN family represent part of the innate immune system and are key players in virus elimination. IFN secretion induces the expression of interferon stimulated genes, producing proteins that have antiviral properties and that are essential to cell-autonomous immunity. IFN-α is commonly used as a therapeutic approach for CHB. In addition, IFN-γ has been identified as the main IFN family member responsible for HBV eradication during acute infection. In this review, we summarize the key evidence gained from cellular or animal models of HBV replication or infection concerning the potential anti-HBV roles of IFN-γ with a particular focus on some IFN-γ-inducible genes.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.7.1-7.20
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• 2022

Recently, there have been impressive advancements in understanding of the immune mechanisms underlying cutaneous inflammatory diseases. To understand these diseases on a deeper level and clarify the therapeutic targets more precisely, numerous studies including in vitro experiments, animal models, and clinical trials have been conducted. This has resulted in a paradigm shift from non-specific suppression of the immune system to selective, targeted immunotherapies. These approaches target the molecular pathways and cytokines responsible for generating inflammatory conditions and reinforcing feedback mechanisms to aggravate inflammation. Among the numerous types of skin inflammation, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD) are common chronic cutaneous inflammatory diseases. Psoriasis is a IL-17-mediated disease driven by IL-23, while AD is predominantly mediated by Th2 immunity. Autoimmune bullous diseases are autoantibody-mediated blistering disorders, including pemphigus and bullous pemphigoid. Alopecia areata is an organ-specific autoimmune disease mediated by CD8⁺ T-cells that targets hair follicles. This review will give an updated, comprehensive summary of the pathophysiology and immune mechanisms of inflammatory skin diseases. Moreover, the therapeutic potential of current and upcoming immunotherapies will be discussed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.29.1-29.20
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• 2020

The development of refractory tumor cells limits therapeutic efficacy in cancer by activating mechanisms that promote cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, metastasis, and survival. Benzimidazole anthelmintics have broad-spectrum action to remove parasites both in human and veterinary medicine. In addition to being antiparasitic agents, benzimidazole anthelmintics are known to exert anticancer activities, such as the disruption of microtubule polymerization, the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle (G2/M) arrest, anti-angiogenesis, and blockage of glucose transport. These antitumorigenic effects even extend to cancer cells resistant to approved therapies and when in combination with conventional therapeutics, enhance anticancer efficacy and hold promise as adjuvants. Above all, these anthelmintics may offer a broad, safe spectrum to treat cancer, as demonstrated by their long history of use as antiparasitic agents. The present review summarizes central literature regarding the anticancer effects of benzimidazole anthelmintics, including albendazole, parbendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole, oxibendazole, oxfendazole, ricobendazole, and flubendazole in cancer cell lines, animal tumor models, and clinical trials. This review provides valuable information on how to improve the quality of life in patients with cancers by increasing the treatment options and decreasing side effects from conventional therapy.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a life-threatening condition that necessitates early identification and intervention and is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic burden. However, several diagnostic challenges remain regarding risk stratification and the optimal timing of endoscopy. The PillSense System is a noninvasive device developed to detect blood in patients with UGIB in real time. This study aimed to assess the safety and performance characteristics of PillSense using a simulated bleeding model. Methods: A preclinical study was performed using an in vivo porcine model (14 animals). Fourteen PillSense capsules were endoscopically placed in the stomach and blood was injected into the stomach to simulate bleeding. The safety and sensitivity of blood detection and pill excretion were also investigated. Results: All the sensors successfully detected the presence or absence of blood. The minimum threshold was 9% blood concentration, with additional detection of increasing concentrations of up to 22.5% blood. All the sensors passed naturally through the gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the ability of the PillSense System sensor to detect UGIB across a wide range of blood concentrations. This ingestible device detects UGIB in real time and has the potential to be an effective tool to supplement the current standard of care. These favorable results will be further investigated in future clinical studies.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.120-129
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• 2024

Recent amendments to regulatory frameworks have placed a greater emphasis on the utilization of in vitro testing platforms for preclinical drug evaluations and toxicity assessments. This requires advanced tissue models capable of accurately replicating liver functions for drug efficacy and toxicity predictions. Liver organoids, derived from human cell sources, offer promise as a reliable platform for drug evaluation. However, there is a lack of standardized quality evaluation methods, which hinders their regulatory acceptance. This paper proposes comprehensive quality standards tailored for liver organoids, addressing cell source validation, organoid generation, and functional assessment. These guidelines aim to enhance reproducibility and accuracy in toxicity testing, thereby accelerating the adoption of organoids as a reliable alternative or complementary tool to animal testing in drug development. The quality standards include criteria for size, cellular composition, gene expression, and functional assays, thus ensuring a robust hepatotoxicity testing platform.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.242-252
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• 2024

This study introduces a prototype for a virtual zoo initiative, aimed at optimizing resource utilization and minimizing animal displacement from their natural habitats. The prototype features a thoughtfully developed three-dimensional representation of an emperor penguin, with animations designed to emulate real-life behaviors. An investigation into file format distinctions for scientific research, encompassing Wavefront(OBJ), Collada(DAE), and Filmbox(FBX) formats, was conducted. The research utilized the Hololens 2 device for visualization, Unity for environment development, Blender for modeling, and C# for programming, with deployment facilitated through Visual Studio 2019 and the Mixed Reality Toolkit. Empirical examination revealed the OBJ format's suitability for simple geometric shapes, while DAE and FBX formats were preferred for intricate models and animations. DAE files offer detailed preservation of object structure and animations albeit with larger file sizes, whereas FBX files provide compactness but may face scalability constraints due to extensive data integration. This investigation underscores the potential of virtual zoos for conservation and education, advocating for further exploration and context-specific implementation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제45권5호
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• pp.689-694
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• 2003

출산기술연구소 대관령지소에서 출생한 한우 암소로부터 시간적인 간격을 두고 조사된 체중측정 기록에 대해 비선형의 성장곡선 모형을 적용하여 한우 암소의 개체별 성장곡선 모수를 추정하고 개체별로 추정된 모수를 이용하여 한우 암소의 정확한 성장형태를 추정하기 위해 실시하였다. Gompertz 모형으로 추정한 개체별 성장 곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 평균치는 각각 383.42${\pm}$97.29kg, 2.374${\pm}$0.340 및 0.0037${\pm}$0.0012였으며, 개체별 변곡점의 평균은 255.63${\pm}$109.09일, 변곡점에서 체중의 평균은 141.05${\pm}$35.79kg, 변곡점에서의 일당증체량의 평균은 0.500${\pm}$0.123 kg이었고, 성장곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 변이계수는 각각 25.3, 14.3 및 32.4%이었다. von Bertalanffy 모형으로 추정한 개체별 성장곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 평균치는 각각 410.47${\pm}$117.98kg, 0.575${\pm}$0.057 및 0.003${\pm}$0.001이었고, 개체별 변곡점의 평균은 211.02${\pm}$105.53일, 변곡점에서 체중의 평균은 121.62${\pm}$34.94kg, 최대 증체율의 평균은 0.504${\pm}$0.124kg이었으며, 성장곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 변이계수는 각각 28.7, 9.9 및 33.3%로 추정되었다. Logistic 모형으로 추정한 개체별 성장곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 평균치는 각각 347.64${\pm}$97.29kg, 6.73${\pm}$0.34 및 0.006${\pm}$0.0018이었고, 개체별 변곡점의 평균은 324.47${\pm}$3.87일, 변곡점에서 체중의 평균은 173.82${\pm}$1.13kg, 최대 증체율의 평균은 0.508${\pm}$0.003kg이었으며, 성장곡선 모수 A, b 및 k의 변이계수는 각각 27.9, 5.0 및 30.0%이었다. Gompertz 모형, von Bertalanffy 모형 및 Logistic 모형에 의해 추정된 생시체중의 평균치들은 각각 36.40${\pm}$0.33, 31.59${\pm}$0.34 및 49.09${\pm}$0.88kg으로 추정되어 실제체중 23.73${\pm}$0.10kg 보다 컸으며 36개월 체중의 경우 세 모형이 각각 349.73${\pm}$2.01, 356.41${\pm}$2.07 및 336.18${\pm}$1.91kg으로 실제체중 363.67${\pm}$2.08kg보다 작았다. 그러나 세 모형으로 추정된 변곡점이 한우 암소의 실질적인 변곡점인지에 대해서는 좀더 검토가 필요한 부분인데, 최(2001)는 한우 암소의 경우 3개월령에서 4개월령 사이의 일당증체량이 0.590으로서 이 시기에 최대의 성장이 이루어지며 3개월령 체중과 4개월령 체중은 각각 79.31 및 98.91kg이라고 보고하고 있으며, 본 연구에서 Table 4에 제시된 결과를 봐도 3개월령과 6개월령 사이 90일 동안에 50.89kg의 증체가 이루어져 일당증체량으로 환산하면 약 0.56kg이 되어 다른 어느 시기보다도 가장 증체속도가 빠른 시기인 것으로 나타났다. 변곡점이 일당증체량이 최대인 시점으로 해석한다면 각 모형에서 고정되어 있는 변곡점의 위치들인 성숙체중의 38.6%(Gompertz 모형), 29.6% (von Bertalanffy 모형) 및 50%(Logistic 모형)는 한우 암소의 실질적인 변곡점보다 늦는 것으로 판단할 수 있는데, 실제로 세 모형 중 변곡점의 위치가 제일 빠른 von Bertalanffy 모형의 적합도가 제일 좋은 것도 이러한 이유 때문일 수 있다. 따라서 한우 암소의 정확한 성장특성을 파악하기 위해서는 변곡점의 위치가 고정되어 있지 않은 기존의 모형들을 이용하는 방안과 아울러 본 연구에 이용된 모형들을 변형시켜 활용하는 방안에 대한 연구가 필요한 것으로 판단된다.