• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.43.1-43.13
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• 2020

The coronavirus disease 2019 is a contagious disease and had caused havoc throughout the world by creating widespread mortality and morbidity. The unavailability of vaccines and proper antiviral drugs encourages the researchers to identify potential antiviral drugs to be used against the virus. The presence of RNA binding domain in the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) could be a potential drug target, which serves multiple critical functions during the viral life cycle, especially the viral replication. Since vaccine development might take some time, the identification of a drug compound targeting viral replication might offer a solution for treatment. The study analyzed the phylogenetic relationship of N protein sequence divergence with other 49 coronavirus species and also identified the conserved regions according to protein families through conserved domain search. Good structural binding affinities of a few natural and/or synthetic phytocompounds or drugs against N protein were determined using the molecular docking approaches. The analyzed compounds presented the higher numbers of hydrogen bonds of selected chemicals supporting the drug-ability of these compounds. Among them, the established antiviral drug glycyrrhizic acid and the phytochemical theaflavin can be considered as possible drug compounds against target N protein of SARS-CoV-2 as they showed lower binding affinities. The findings of this study might lead to the development of a drug for the SARS-CoV-2 mediated disease and offer solution to treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

• 생약학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.291-297
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• 2018

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) is a very well-known causative agent for viral myocarditis and meningitis in human. However, the effective vaccine and therapeutic drug are not developed yet. CVB3 infection activates host cell AKT signaling. Inhibition of AKT signaling pathway may attenuate CVB3 replication and prevent CVB3-mediate viral myocarditis. In this study, we determined antiviral effect of the selected natural plant extract to develop a therapeutic drug for CVB3 treatment. We screened several chemically extracted natural compounds by using HeLa cell-based cell survival assay. Among them, Linum usitatissimum L. extract was selected for antiviral drug candidate. L. usitatissimum extract significantly decreased CVB3 replication and cell death in CVB3 infected HeLa cells with no cytotoxicity. CVB3 protease 2A induced eIF4G1 cleavage and viral capsid protein VP1 production were dramatically decreased by L. usitatissimum extract treatment. In addition, virus positive and negative strand genome amplification were significantly decreased by 1 mg/ml L. usitatissimum extract treatment. Especially, L. usitatissimum extract was associated with inhibition of AKT signal and maintain mTOR activity. In contrast, Atg12 and LC3 expression were not changed by L. usitatissimum extract treatment. In this study, the potential AKT signal inhibitor, L. usitatissimum extract, was significantly inhibited viral genome replication and protein production by inhibition of AKT signal. These results suggested that L. usitatissimum extract is a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of CVB3-mediated diseases.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.482-488
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• 2019

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in pigs. Replicase (Rep) proteins are considered essential for viral replication. Capsid (Cap) protein is the primary immunogenic protein that induces protective immunity. Little is known about comparison on the immunogenicity of PCV2 Rep and Cap fusion protein and Cap protein. In the present study, recombinant baculoviruses expressing the Rep-Cap fusion protein (Bac-Rep-Cap) and the Cap protein (Bac-Cap) of PCV2 were constructed and confirmed with western blot and indirect fluorescence assay. Immunogenicities of the two recombinant proteins were tested in mice. The titers of antibodies were determined with a PCV2-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a serum neutralization assay. The $IFN-{\gamma}$ response of immunized mice was measured by ELISA. The mice immunized with the Bac-Rep-Cap and Bac-Cap successfully produced Cap-specific immunoreaction. The mice immunized with the Bac-Cap developed higher PCV2-specific neutralizing antibody titers than mice injected with the Bac-Rep-Cap. $IFN-{\gamma}$ in the Bac-Rep-Cap group was increased compared to those in the Bac-Cap group. Vaccination of mice with the Bac-Rep-Cap showed significantly decreased protective efficacy compared to the Bac-Cap. Our findings will indubitably not only lead to a better understanding of the immunogenicity of PCV2, but also improved vaccines.

• 산업융합연구
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.35-40
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• 2021

본 연구는 신종감염병에 대한 텍스트 데이터를 수집하고, 이를 분석하여 신종감염병에서 중요한 요인을 도출하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 네이버 뉴스 데이터베이스의 기사를 직접 크롤링하고, 이를 전처리 하여, 데이터 분석에 활용하였다. 또한 빅카인즈를 활용하여 추가적인 분석을 실시하였다. 우선순위 분석결과, 코로나, 전염병, 방역, 백신, 발생, 바이러스, 감염, 개발 순으로 그 중요도가 나타났다. 근접중심성 분석 결과 정부, 사망, 계획 순으로 그 중요도가 나타났으며, 빅카인즈 분석결과는 코로나 19, 질병관리 본부 등이 중요한 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구의 결과를 토대로 신종감염병에 대한 대국민 인식 제고 및 방역, 백신 및 치료제 개발 등에 정부의 정책적인 지원이 필요하다고 할 수 있다.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2022

살모넬라 수막염은 소아청소년에서 흔하지 않은 병이나 심각한 신경학적 합병증을 일으킬 수 있다. 영아, 특히 3개월 미만의 연령과 악성 종양, 말라리아 감염, 인체면역결핍바이러스 감염과 같은 면역 저하 상태는 살모넬라 수막염의 위험인자로 알려져 있다. 본 증례에서는 고열과 구토, 의식 변화를 주소로 내원한 이전 특이병력 없던 건강한 8세 여아의 살모넬라 수막염 증례를 소개한다. 환자의 뇌척수액에서 D군 살모넬라가 배양되었으며, 뇌 자기공명영상 소견은 정상이었다. 면역 글로불린 수치와 림프구 수는 정상 범위였고, 차세대 염기서열 분석에서 원발성 면역결핍 질환을 일으키는 유전자 변이는 검출되지 않았다. 3세대 세팔로스포린 투약으로 환자의 증상은 빠르게 호전되었으며 합병증이나 후유증은 발생하지 않았다. 비장티푸스 살모넬라균은 면역이 정상인 소아에서 수막염을 일으킬 수 있으며 조기에 항생제를 투여하면 성공적으로 치료할 수 있다.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.14.1-14.10
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• 2020

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease of domestic pigs and wild boars (WBs). Without a vaccine, early antibody and antigen detection and rapid diagnosis are crucial for the effective prevention of the disease and the employment of control measures. In Sardinia, where 3 different suid populations coexisted closely for a long time, the disease persists since 1978. The recent ASF eradication plan involves more stringent measures to combat free-ranging pigs and any kind of illegality in the pig industry. However, critical issues such as the low level of hunter cooperation with veterinary services and the time required for ASF detection in the WBs killed during the hunting season still remain. Considering the need to deliver true ASF negative carcasses as early as possible, this study focuses on the evaluation and validation of a duplex pen-side test that simultaneously detects antibodies and antigens specific to ASF virus, to improve molecular diagnosis under field conditions. The main goal was to establish the specificity of the two pen-side tests performed simultaneously and to determine their ability to detect the true ASF negative carcasses among the hunted WBs. Blood and organ samples of the WBs hunted during the 2018/2019 hunting seasons were obtained. A total of 160 animals were tested using the pen-side kit test; samples were collected for virological and serological analyses. A specificity of 98% was observed considering the official laboratory tests as gold standards. The new diagnostic techniques could facilitate faster and cost-effective control of the disease.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.92.1-92.8
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• 2022

Background: Feline calicivirus (FCV) is widespread throughout the world. An FCV infection is associated with conjunctivitis, rhinitis, and mouth ulcers that can lead to the animal's death. Because vaccination is not always effective, it is necessary to monitor the infection regularly. Objectives: This study examined the FCV epizootic situation in the Moscow metropolitan area by conducting a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the virus isolates. Methods: Samples from 6213 animals were examined by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. For phylogenetic analysis, 12 nucleotide sequences obtained from animal samples were selected. Sequencing was performed using the Sanger method. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using the Maximum Likelihood method. Results: The FCV genome was detected in 1,596 (25.7%) samples out of 6,213. In 2018, calicivirus was detected in 18.9% of samples, 27.8% in 2019, 21.4% in 2020, and 32.6% in 2021. Phylogenetic analysis of the F ORF2 region and the ORF3 start region led to division into two FCV genogroups. Most of the isolates (8 out of 12) were close to the Chinese strains. On the other hand, there were isolates closely related to European and American strains. The isolates circulating in Moscow were not included in clusters with vaccine strains; their nucleotide similarity varied from 77% to 83%. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence and genetic diversity of the FCV in Moscow. The epizootic situation remains stably tense because 24 viruses were detected in 25% of animals annually.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.140-146
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• 2024

소아 다기관 염증 증후군(multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, MIS-C)은 코로나바이러스감염증-19 (코로나 19; coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19)의 드문 합병증으로 심장, 폐, 신장, 소화관 및 신경계를 포함한 다기관 손상을 일으킨다. 코로나19 팬데믹 이후 MIS-C 사례가 증가함에 따라 MIS-C에 대한 적절한 치료의 중요성이 강조되고 있다. anakinra, infliximab, 스테로이드와 같은 면역 조절제는 MIS-C에 대한 intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)의 1차 치료에 대한 추가 요법으로 고려되지만 cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr 바이러스 및 결핵과 같은 2차 감염을 유발할 소지가 있다. 저자들 MIS-C로 IVIG, steroid 및 infliximab을 투여한 환자에서 동반된 CMV 감염으로 인하여 약 한달간 지속되는 발열이 발생한 3세 남아의 증례 1례를 처음으로 보고하였다.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.8.1-8.17
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• 2021

The global crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to the most significant economic loss and human deaths after World War II. The pathogen causing this disease is a novel virus called the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). As of December 2020, there have been 80.2 million confirmed patients, and the mortality rate is known as 2.16% globally. A strategy to protect a host from SARS-CoV-2 is by suppressing intracellular viral replication or preventing viral entry. We focused on the spike glycoprotein that is responsible for the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the host cell. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration/EU Medicines Agency authorized a vaccine and antibody to treat COVID-19 patients by emergency use approval in the absence of long-term clinical trials. Both commercial and academic efforts to develop preventive and therapeutic agents continue all over the world. In this review, we present a perspective on current reports about the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 as a therapeutic target.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2007

목 적 : RSV 감염증 진단을 위한 여러 가지 신속 진단법이 이용되고 있다. 본 연구는 하기도 감염 소아의 비인두흡인물에서 RSV를 검출하는데 있어서 lateral-flow immunoassay 법을 이용하여 국내에서 개발된 RSV 조기 진단 kit인 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$(Standard Diagnostics, Inc., 용인, 대한민국)의 성적을 세포배양과 면역 형광법 결과와 비교 평가하기 위하여 수행되었다. 방 법 : 2002년 7월부터 2007년 2월까지 서울대학교 어린이병원의 응급실을 방문하거나 입원한 하기도 감염소아로부터 채취한 비인두 흡인물 319개를 대상으로 하여 RSV를 검출하는데 있어서 바이러스 배양과 면역 형광법을 기준으로 하여 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$ 검사의 성적을 평가하였다. 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$ 검사는 각 검체의 바이러스 배양과 면역 형광법 결과를 모르는 검사자에 의해서 두번 이상씩 시행되었다. 결 과 : 면역 형광법과 바이러스 배양이 모두 양성인 검체 110개 중 107개(97.3%), 면역 형광법만 양성인 검체 33개 중 29개(87.9%), 바이러스 배양법만 양성인 검체 26개 중 20개(76.9%)가 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$로 검사한 결과 양성으로 나타났으며, 두 가지 기준 검사에서 모두 음성인 검체 150개 중 140개(93.3%)가 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$ 검사 결과 음성이었다. 면역 형광법 또는 바이러스 배양법에 대한 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$ 검사의 민감도는 92.3%(156/169, 95% confidence interval[CI], 87.1-97.5%), 특이도는 93.3%(140/150, 95% CI, 88.4-98.2%), 양성 예측도는 94.0%(156/166, 89.5-98.5%), 음성 예측도는 91.5%(140/143, 95% CI, 86.0-97.0%), 일치도는 95.9%(306/319, 92.1-99.7%)이었다. 결 론 : 국내에서 개발된 RSV 감염 조기 진단 kit인 바이오라인 알에스브이$^{TM}$는 높은 민감도와 특이도를 보였다. 간단한 검사 방법과 신속한 결과라는 장점이 있어 향후 유행 시기에 유용한 진단법으로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 보인다.