• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.309-318
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• 2020

Besides respiratory infection, COVID-19 has many neurological symptoms not only loss of smell and taste but also fatigue and brain fog. But it is a challenge to treat the neurological symptoms especially of anosmia and ageusia. In order to search for the therapeutic methods, the geographical diversity and pathological mechanisms of the COVID-19 and two symptoms were investigated from the latest clinical studies. Because the environmental conditions of the monsoon climate zone of East Asia and the Mediterranean and Oceanic climate zone of Italy, Britain, United States and tropical Brazil are different, each of diverse etiology and internal milieu should be considered differently in the treatment. SARS-CoV-2 exhibits the dampness-like characteristics and the olfactory and gustatory disorders are particularly more common than other flu or cold. and it tends to show features of damaging the lung qi of olfaction and heart-spleen qi of gustation. The mechanisms of olfactory and gustatory loss are various according to precursory, inflammatory, non-inflammatory and sequelar forms, so the therapeutic method should be designed for each period and pathology. If the process of inflammation arises from nasal and respiratory, olfactory epithelium to the central nervous structure by way of blood brain barrier, the treatment should be corresponded with the stage and depth of pathogen place. And if the olfactory loss is asymptomatic or in the initial stage, it can be applied intranasal topical scent therapy to relieve temporary locking of qi movement, but maybe also used in parallel together with herbs of relieving dampness toxin latent in the lung parenchyma.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

In an attempt to find a feed additive showing an anti-scuticociliate effect, extracts from Citrus unshiu Peel were tested against virulent scuticociliate infection. The most effective anti-scuticociliate killing activity in vitro was observed in the extract squeezed from homogenizing water-soaked dried tangerine peel (DTP). In addition, we have investigated the effect of DTP as a feed additive on growth rate and anti-parasitic activity of olivaceus flounder. DTP extract added diets (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5%/feed weight) were fed to flounder for 7 days for checking a growth rate and 14 days for a challenging test. As a result, the feed conversion rate was significantly improved only in 1% DPT extract group compared to the control and 0.5% DTP extract fed group showed 100% of survival rate in the challenge test, all of which indicating that DTP extract would be a potential feed additive against scuticociliatosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2023

The rifampicin-resistant strain E9-302 of Edwardsiella ictaluri strain 669 (WT) was generated by continuous passage on BHI agar plates containing increasing concentrations of rifampicin. E9-302 was attenuated significantly by 119 times to zebrafish Danio rerio compared to WT in terms of the 50% lethal dose (LD₅₀). Zebrafish vaccinated with E9-302 via intraperitoneal (IP) injection at a dose of 1 × 10³ CFU/fish had relative percentage survival (RPS) rates of 85.7% when challenged with wild-type E. ictaluri via IP 14 days post-vaccination (dpv). After 14 days of primary vaccination with E9-302 via immersion (IM) at a dose of 4 × 10⁷ CFU/ml, a booster IM vaccination with E9-302 at a dose of 2 × 10⁷ CFU/ml exhibited 65.2% RPS against challenge with wild-type E. ictaluri via IP 7 days later. These results indicated that the rifampicin-resistant attenuated strain E9-302 had potential as a live vaccine against E. ictaluri infection. A previously unreported amino acid site change at position 142 of the RNA polymerase (RNAP) β subunit encoded by the gene rpoB associated with rifampicin resistance was identified. Analysis of the whole-genome sequencing results revealed multiple missense mutations in the virulence-related genes esrB and sspH2 in E9-302 compared with WT, and a 189 bp mismatch in one gene, whose coding product was highly homologous to glycosyltransferase family 39 protein. This study preliminarily explored the molecular mechanism underlying the virulence attenuation of rifampicin-resistant strain E9-302 and provided a new target for the subsequent study of the pathogenic mechanism of E. ictaluri.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.479-488
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• 2022

Objective : The surgical management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) caused by petrous apex meningioma (PAM) is still a challenge because of the lesion's deep location and the surrounding complex structures. The authors describe the intradural anterior transpetrosal approach (ATPA) and its effect on the treatment of TN secondary to PAM. Methods : A retrospective analysis of 15 patients with TN secondary to PAM who underwent surgery via the intradural ATPA was conducted. The key techniques, which included drilling off the petrosal apex (PA) and opening the upper wall of Meckel's cave (MC), are described in detail. Results : Total removal of the tumor and complete pain relief (Barrow Neurological Institute I) were achieved in all 15 patients without significant morbidity. Five patients developed new facial numbness postoperatively, which disappeared within three months after surgery. The postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed temporal lobe swelling in three patients, but no clinical symptoms. One patient had cerebrospinal fluid leakage and was managed with bed rest and temporary lumbar drainage. One patient had an intracranial infection and was treated with antibiotics. By the last follow up, no patients had pain relapse or/and tumor recurrence. It is worth noting that the vascular compression at the root of the trigeminal nerve was found in one patient during the operation. Conclusion : Our experience suggests that drilling off the PA and opening the upper wall of the MC are key elements for a good outcome of the treatment of TN secondary to PAM. The intradural ATPA has the advantages for both tumor resection and pain relief.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2023

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is an acute febrile disease that mainly involves histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis in children and young adults. Diagnosis of KFD is even more difficult if image-guided percutaneous biopsy is technically challenging. We present a case of clinically diagnosed KFD in an 11-year-old boy who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy, resulting in a diagnostic challenge. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review, and our goal was to describe the spectrum of disease, therapy, and outcomes. We identified 15 cases of KFD with symptoms that mimicked mesenteric lymphadenitis. Reports from the Americas, Europe, and Asia were also included. Most patients were male, exhibited leukopenia and elevated inflammatory markers, and recovered without significant sequelae or complications. A high index of suspicion of KFD should be maintained in children presenting with prolonged fever and unusual manifestations, such as mesenteric lymphadenitis.

• Journal of Practical Agriculture & Fisheries Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.14-18
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• 2023

White leg shrimps cultured in an inland private aquaculture farm with low salinity waters showed abnormal swimming behavior and appetite reduction in July 2022. Then, gradual mortality was observed in the aquaculture farm. During the diagnosis, bacterial strain KNUAF-SHP3 was isolated from the hepatopancreas of the dead shrimps. Based on the sequence of 16S rRNA gene, KNUAF-SHP3 was proved to be Shewanella sp., clustering into a group with S. algae MARS 14 and S. chilikensis JC5T. According to the result of experimental infection test, all shrimps challenged with high concentrations, 2.1×108 CFU/ml and 2.1×109 CFU/ml showed apparent disease symptoms and the cumulative mortality rates reached 100% in 7 days post challenge. These results emphasized that Shewanella isolate in this study can be a potential pathogen of white leg shrimp cultured in low salinity water.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.304-312
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• 2023

Purpose: Due to the many problems with commercially available vaccines, the production of effective vaccines against brucellosis is a necessity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immune responses caused by the chimeric protein consisting of trigger factor, Bp26, and Omp31 (TBO) along with aluminum hydroxide (AH/TBO) and selenium (Se/TBO) nanoparticles (NPs) as adjuvants in mouse model. Materials and Methods: Recombinant antigen expression was induced in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) bacteria using IPTG (isopropyl-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside). Purification and characterization of recombinant protein was conducted through NiFe₃O₄ NPs, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Western blot. NP characteristics, including morphology and particle size, were measured in vitro. The recombinant TBO was loaded on to AH and Se NPs and were administered subcutaneously. After mice immunization, measurement of antibody titter and protection assay was performed. Results: The average sizes of AH and Se NPs were about 60 nm and 150 nm, respectively. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that the serum of mice immunized by subcutaneous injection with both nanovaccines produced significant immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses against the chimeric antigen. The results of TBO-specific IgG isotype (IgG2a/IgG1) analysis showed that both AH and Se NPs induced a type to T-helper immune response. In addition, the results of the challenge with the pathogenic strain of Brucella melitensis 16M showed that vaccinated mice with AH/TBO NPs indicated a higher reduction of bacterial culture than immunized mice with Se/TBO NPs and TBO alone. Conclusion: The results showed that AH NPs carrying chimeric antigen can be a promising vaccine candidate against brucellosis by producing protective immunity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.84 no.6
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• pp.1391-1396
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• 2023

Malignant lymphoma has various pulmonary manifestations on chest CT, including nodules, masses, areas of consolidation, and ground-glass opacity. These presentations can pose a diagnostic challenge, as they mimic other disease patterns. Herein, we report a case of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) manifesting as miliary nodules in a 67-year-old male initially presenting with dyspnea and fever. Radiologic findings included diffuse, bilateral, multiple tiny nodules consistent with metastasis, miliary tuberculosis, and fungal infection. However, further investigations, including laboratory tests, imaging, and biopsies, led to the diagnosis of DLBCL involving the lungs. Herein we reported a rare case of lymphoma involvement of the lung presenting as miliary nodules. Accurate diagnosis relies on a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical history, physical features, laboratory test results, and imaging findings.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.193-204
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• 2024

Malaria is a global disease affecting a large portion of the world's population. Although vaccines have recently become available, their efficacies are suboptimal. We generated virus-like particles (VLPs) that expressed either apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) or microneme-associated antigen (MIC) of Plasmodium berghei and compared their efficacy in BALB/c mice. We found that immune sera acquired from AMA1 VLP- or MIC VLP-immunized mice specifically interacted with the antigen of choice and the whole P. berghei lysate antigen, indicating that the antibodies were highly parasite-specific. Both VLP vaccines significantly enhanced germinal center B cell frequencies in the inguinal lymph nodes of mice compared with the control, but only the mice that received MIC VLPs showed significantly enhanced CD4⁺ T cell responses in the blood following P. berghei challenge infection. AMA1 and MIC VLPs significantly suppressed TNF-α and interleukin-10 production but had a negligible effect on interferon-γ. Both VLPs prevented excessive parasitemia buildup in immunized mice, although parasite burden reduction induced by MIC VLPs was slightly more effective than that induced by AMA1. Both VLPs were equally effective at preventing body weight loss. Our findings demonstrated that the MIC VLP was an effective inducer of protection against murine experimental malaria and should be the focus of further development.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.69-83
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of injection of garlic, Allium sativum, extract and immersion in garlic juice on the nonspecific immunity and the resistance against the artificial infection of Streptococcus iniae and Edwardsiella tarda of the olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. The nonspecific immune mechanisms were assessed in terms of lysozyme activity, nitroblue-tetrazolium (NBT) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity etc. Relative percent survival (RPS) was assessed by the challenge with S. iniae BS10 or E. tarda KE-1. Almost of the garlic extract injected groups showed the enhanced level of the tested nonspecific immune factors. In the challenge test with S. iniae and E. tarda, RPS of 5% garlic extract pre-injected group was much higher than that of any other tested groups, respectively. Almost of the garlic juice immersion tested groups exhibited strengthened nonspecific immune defence factors, lysozyme activity, the number of lymphocytes and neutrophils, NBT reduction and SOD activity in kidney. In the challenge with S. iniae and E. tarda, RPS in the 0.25 g/L of garlic juice immersed group was much higher than any other tested groups, respectively. The results suggest that the garlic extract and juice would be effective to enhance the nonspecific immunity and protective ability of olive flounder against fish disease such as S. iniae and E. tarda.