• 치위생과학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.134-145
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• 2024

Background: Dental hygienists are crucial in managing infection control within dental clinical settings. This study focused on examining the pre-treatment infection control practices (PT-PRF_IC) of Korean dental hygienists in the context of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and identifying factors influencing their implementation levels. Methods: An online, self-administered survey was conducted with 263 dental hygienists working in dental hospitals or clinics. The survey explored various aspects such as the experience with infection control education (Edu_IC), PT-PRF_IC, and the types of surface disinfectants used. Additionally, data from previous studies on the knowledge level of COVID-19 (KNW_CO), infection control awareness level (AWR_IC), infection control performance level (PRF_IC), and infection control organizational factor (OFW_IC) were utilized. Statistical analyses included t-tests, one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. Results: The study identified variations in PT-PRF_IC based on the number of dental hygienists within an organization. Differences in Edu_IC were observed concerning age, number of years worked, and monthly pay. The OFW_IC had the most substantial impact on PT-PRF_IC, followed by PRF_IC, and AWR_IC. Conclusion: To improve compliance with PT-PRF_IC, it is essential to consider a combination of factors including OFW_IC, PRF_IC, and AWR_IC. Strengthening organizational factors and awareness can enhance infection control practices and prevent COVID-19 transmission during dental care.

• 한국재난정보학회 논문집
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.566-573
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• 2022

연구목적: 본 연구는 중동호흡기증후군(MERS) 및 코로나바이러스 감염증-19(코로나19)의 국내 유행 이후 늘어난 신종 감염병에 대한 두려움을 해소하기 위하여, 감염취약계층의 집단감염 위험이 있는 초등학교에서 공기살균기 적용에 따른 공기살균효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 연구방법: 서울시 소재의 초등학교의 교실 및 급식실, 화장실에 공기살균기를 각 1대씩 설치하고 공기살균기와 2m 떨어진 거리에서 표면 및 공기 시료를 채취하여 미설치 대조군과 비교하여 세균저감 효과를 분석하였다. 연구결과: 표면에서의 살균효과는 대조군 및 시험군 모두 2log CFU/cm²미만의 결과가 나왔으며, 대조군에 비해 시험군이 54~87% 저감효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 공기중에서의 살균효과는 공기살균기 설치 위치에 따라 살균능력이 차이 났으며, 벽면 설치는 대조군에 비해 최대 91%의 저감 효과를 보였으며, 중앙 설치는 최대 93%의 저감 효과를 보였다. 결론: 연구결과 상시적인 소독을 진행하는 초등학교에서 현재의 방역프로그램을 유지하는 한편 공기살균기의 적용하여 상시적인 공기살균을 병행하면 감염병 전파 방지에 상승효과를 볼 수 있을 것으로 보인다. 또한 공기살균기로의 공기유입이 원활할 수 있도록 하는 것이 바람직할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.123-132
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• 2023

Background: Pseudotyped virus systems that incorporate viral proteins have been widely employed for the rapid determination of the effectiveness and neutralizing activity of drug and vaccine candidates in biosafety level 2 facilities. We report an efficient method for producing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pseudovirus with dual luciferase and fluorescent protein reporters. Moreover, using the established method, we also aimed to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), a valuable Korean herbal medicine, can attenuate infectivity of the pseudotyped virus. Methods: A pseudovirus of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS-2pv) was constructed and efficiently produced using lentivirus vector systems available in the public domain by the introduction of critical mutations in the cytoplasmic tail of the spike protein. KRG extract was dose-dependently treated to Calu-3 cells during SARS2-pv treatment to evaluate the protective activity against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The use of Calu-3 cells or the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in HEK293T cells enabled SARS-2pv infection of host cells. Coexpression of transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which is the activator of spike protein, with ACE2 dramatically elevated luciferase activity, confirming the importance of the TMPRSS2-mediated pathway during SARS-CoV-2 entry. Our pseudovirus assay also revealed that KRG elicited resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lung cells, suggesting its beneficial health effect. Conclusion: The method demonstrated the production of SARS-2pv for the analysis of vaccine or drug candidates. When KRG was assessed by the method, it protected host cells from coronavirus infection. Further studies will be followed for demonstrating this potential benefit.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.80-82
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• 2004

A 3 month-old male dog with clinical signs of anorexia, soft stool, ocular and nasal discharge, cough and respiratory distress was submitted to the Cheju National University for diagnosis. At necropsy, tan to pulp]e-red sublobar to lobar consolidations were presented in apical and cardiac lobe of lung. Histopathologically, severe diffuse bronchointerstitial pneumonia with necrotic bronchiolitis was noted in the lung. The demyelinating encephalitis and astrocytosis were presented in cerebellum and cerebrum. Numerous round, ovoid or cluster of tachyzoites were also identified in alveolar lumen, alveolar wall and cytoplasm of macrophages in the lung. The orgasnisms were demonstrated as Toxoplasma (T) gondii by immunohistochemistry. Intranuclear or intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were seen in the glial cells of the cerebellum. Canine distemper virus (CDV) specific antigens were demonstrated in the cerebellum by the immunohistochemistry. In our knowledge, this is believed to be the first confirmed report of co-infection of CDV and T gondii in dog in Korea.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.360-362
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• 2006

Cyclospora cayetanensis is an agent of emerging infectious disease, and a recognized cause of diarrhea in some patients. Also, the flagellated protozoan, Giardia intestinalis, induces a diarrheal illness of the small intestine. Cases of cyclosporiasis are frequently missed, primarily due to the fact that the parasite can be quite difficult to detect in human fecal samples, despite an increasing amount of data regarding this parasite. On the other hand, G. intestinalis can be readily recognized via the microscopic visualization of its trophozoite or cyst forms in stained preparations or unstained wet mounts. In this report, we describe an uncommon case of co-infection with G. intestinalis and C. cayetanensis in an immunocompetent patient with prolonged diarrhea, living in a non-tropical region of Turkey.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2017

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are not generally associated with viral infections. This study investigated the changes in the CRP level caused by an infection from respiratory virus (RV). Nasopharyngeal samples from hospitalized patients with suspected RV infection were used to measure the CRP levels, virus load, virus-virus co-infection, age, sex, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Abnormal CRP levels were detected in 62.3% (3,608 out of 5,788) of all RV-positive samples. The percentage of patients with abnormal CRP levels tended to increase with age. Furthermore, LOS in patients with abnormal CRP levels was significantly longer than that in patients with normal CRP levels. The frequency of elevated CRP levels differed according to the causative virus and the frequency of abnormal levels increased with age. Moreover, LOS was longer in those with abnormal CRP levels. These data provide important insights into the role of CRP levels in RV infection.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.127-135
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• 2020

Coronavirus is generally known to cause minor respiratory diseases in animals and humans. However, some coronavirus genus is reported to cause animal-to-human interspecies infection. Since the end of 2019, a new type of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection is spreading rapidly throughout the world, leading to the declaration of the pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite various clinical studies to counter COVID-19 infection, the total confirmed cases and death rates are still accumulating. To break down this new threat, we should pay attention to newly revealed information based on scientific facts. In this review, we introduced the clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, and treatment of patients infected with COVID-19. Moreover, we highlighted the correlation between COVID-19 severity and patients with underlying diseases. Potential risks associated with COVID-19 can be differed depending on the condition of patients and can cause pulmonary complications. Therefore, lung capacity exams are expected to help predict the progression of the disease along with previously established detection methods such as molecular diagnostics and immunoassay. Although physiological research hasn't yet been emphasized to evaluate COVID-19 infection, this review is expected to be valuable to give new inspiration to deal with COVID-19 which might strike again in the future.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.121-124
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• 2010

Thermal burn occurred in the anesthetized dog as a result of using hot pack to treat hypothermia. After hospital discharge, thermal burn leaded to secondary infection due to dog bites of the other dog in the house. After secondary infection, the treatment was performed with medication and bandaging. Because of the pain and infection from the wound, carprofen (2 mg/kg bid) and amoxicillin (20 mg/kg bid) were administrated orally for 40 days. And for 35 days, wet-to-dry gauze dressing was used to absorb purulent exudate. During this period, the burn eschar was removed completely from the burn site. After 35 days, the hydrophilic polyurethane foam ($Medifoam^{(R)}$, Ildong Pharm, Co., Korea) was admitted to the burn site for 30 days. $Medifoam^{(R)}$ made healing rate of the wound faster because the inner layer did not adhered to the wound, and newly formed tissue was protected. The second layer, hydrophilic absorptive layer absorbed excessive fluid and kept the wound surface moist. After 65 days after thermal burn, the wound was healed completely.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.39.1-39.18
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• 2021

The high virulent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that emerged in China at the end of 2019 has generated novel coronavirus disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), causing a pandemic worldwide. Every country has made great efforts to struggle against SARS-CoV-2 infection, including massive vaccination, immunological patients' surveillance, and the utilization of convalescence plasma for COVID-19 therapy. These efforts are associated with the attempts to increase the titers of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing Abs (nAbs) generated either after infection or vaccination that represent the body's immune status. As there is no standard therapy for COVID-19 yet, virus eradication will mainly depend on these nAbs contents in the body. Therefore, serological nAbs neutralization assays become a requirement for researchers and clinicians to measure nAbs titers. Different platforms have been developed to evaluate nAbs titers utilizing various epitopes sources, including neutralization assays based on the live virus, pseudovirus, and neutralization assays utilizing recombinant SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein receptor binding site, receptor-binding domain. As a standard neutralization assay, the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) requires isolation and propagation of live pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 virus conducted in a BSL-3 containment. Hence, other surrogate neutralization assays relevant to the PRNT play important alternatives that offer better safety besides facilitating high throughput analyses. This review discusses the current neutralization assay platforms used to evaluate nAbs, their techniques, advantages, and limitations.

• 한국식물생명공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국식물생명공학회 2003년도 식물바이오벤처 페스티발
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• pp.106-106
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• 2003