• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.16
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• 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading worldwide since its outbreak in December 2019, and World Health Organization declared it as a pandemic on March 11, 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and is transmitted through airway epithelial cells as the first gateway. SARS-CoV-2 is detected by nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples, and the viral load is significantly high in the upper respiratory tract. The host cellular receptors in airway epithelial cells, including angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2, have been identified by single-cell RNA sequencing or immunostaining. The expression levels of these molecules vary by type, function, and location of airway epithelial cells, such as ciliated cells, secretory cells, olfactory epithelial cells, and alveolar epithelial cells, as well as differ from host to host depending on age, sex, or comorbid diseases. Infected airway epithelial cells by SARS-CoV-2 in ex vivo experiments produce chemokines and cytokines to recruit inflammatory cells to target organs. Same as other viral infections, IFN signaling is a critical pathway for host defense. Various studies are underway to confirm the pathophysiological mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Herein, we review cellular entry, host-viral interactions, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in airway epithelial cells. We also discuss therapeutic options related to epithelial immune reactions to SARS-CoV-2.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.828-837
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• 2024

Vancomycin (VAN) and metronidazole (MTR) remain the current drugs of choice for the treatment of non-severe Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI); however, while their co-administration has appeared in clinical treatment, the efficacy varies greatly and the mechanism is unknown. In this study, a CDI mouse model was constructed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of VAN and MTR alone or in combination. For a perspective on the intestinal ecology, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics techniques were used to investigate changes in the fecal microbiota and metabolome of mice under the co-administration treatment. As a result, the survival rate of mice under co-administration was not dramatically different compared to that of single antibiotics, and the former caused intestinal tissue hyperplasia and edema. Co-administration also significantly enhanced the activity of amino acid metabolic pathways represented by phenylalanine, arginine, proline, and histidine, decreased the level of deoxycholic acid (DCA), and downregulated the abundance of beneficial microbes, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. VAN plays a dominant role in microbiota regulation in co-administration. In addition, co-administration reduced or increased the relative abundance of antibiotic-sensitive bacteria, including beneficial and harmful microbes, without a difference. Taken together, there are some risks associated with the co-administration of VAN and MTR, and this combination mode should be used with caution in CDI treatment.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.399-402
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• 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major health problem worldwide. Timely diagnosis of co-infections mimicking COVID-19, such as malaria, might be challenging particularly in non-endemic areas. We report the first case of COVID-19 and Plasmodium ovale malaria co-infection from our region aiming to highligt the importance of travel history and prophylaxis in malaria management in the context of pandemic. The galloping sound can sometimes be a harbinger of zebra besides the horse.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted primarily through droplets, and dental practitioners are at risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection owing to direct contact with the patient's mouth, aerosols from dental procedures, and saliva. Wearing a mask is believed to be the best method of protection against infection, and a systematic literature review was conducted on whether the dental masks used in dentistry are effective in preventing Coronavirus Infectious Disease-19 (COVID-19). Methods: We used PubMed, Google Scholar, DBpia, NDSL, and KISS databases for this study. Of the 917 documents narrowed down by the search terms "Coronavirus, COVID-19, and dental," 83 documents were collected and studied. Ultimately, 42 of these papers were selected for analysis after considering duplication from the flow chart of the literature selection process. Results: While dental masks are often used when treating patients with unknown COVID-19 status, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated that the use of dental masks is insufficient in preventing cross-transmission of COVID-19; instead, it was recommended that N95 masks, which correspond to KF94 masks, should be worn daily. On the other hand, wearing a dental mask and following precautions such as hand hygiene may not pose a significantly higher risk of infection than wearing an N95 mask when treating COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: There is an ongoing discussion regarding the use of dental masks when treating dental patients, and many argue that different types of masks should be selected according to the degree of infection and the individual's respiratory condition. By considering the safety and efficacy of dental masks in preventing infection, improvements can be made in the management of COVID-19 and dental-related infections.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.155-159
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• 1997

We had experienced a case of pericarditis associated with Mycoplasma and Salmonella co-infection. This 5-year old boy presented with high fever and generalized tonic-clonic seizure. The diagnosis was based on the markedly increased serial titer of Widal test and cold agglutinin with Mycoplasma indirect hemmagglution test during hospitalization. The electrocardiogram revealed P-R interval prolongation and an echocardiogram revealed moderate pericardial effusion. The patient treated with ceftriaxone and erythromycin for 2 weeks, and responded to the treatment well. We report this case with brief review of the related literatures.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.522-527
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• 2017

We determined the effects of atmospheric temperature ($10-30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ in $5^{\circ}C$ increments) and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) levels ($400{\pm}50ppm$, $540{\pm}50ppm$, and $940{\pm}50ppm$) on the infection of Solanum tuberosum cv. Chubaek by Potato leafroll virus (PLRV). Below $CO_2$ levels of $400{\pm}50ppm$, the PLRV infection rate and RNA content in plant tissues increased as the temperature increased to $20{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, but declined at higher temperatures. At high $CO_2$ levels ($940{\pm}50ppm$), more plants were infected by PLRV at $30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ than at 20 or $25{\pm}2^{\circ}C$, whereas PLRV RNA content was unchanged in the $20-30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ temperature range. The effects of atmospheric $CO_2$ concentration on the acquisition of PLRV by Myzus persicae and accumulation of PLRV RNA in plant tissues were investigated using a growth chamber at $20{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. The M. persicae PLRV RNA content slightly increased at elevated $CO_2$ levels ($940{\pm}50ppm$), but this increase was not statistically significant. Transmission rates of PLRV by Physalis floridana increased as $CO_2$ concentration increased. More PLRV RNA accumulated in potato plants maintained at 540 or $940{\pm}50ppm$ $CO_2$, than in plants maintained at $400{\pm}50ppm$. This is the first evidence of greater PLRV RNA accumulation and larger numbers of S. tuberosum plants infected by PLRV under conditions of combined high $CO_2$ levels ($940{\pm}50ppm$) and high temperature ($30{\pm}2^{\circ}C$).

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.363-370
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• 2014

Campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent foodborne pathogen worldwide. Human infection by C. jejuni primarily arises from contaminated poultry meats. Genes expressed in vivo may play an important role in the pathogenicity of C. jejuni. We applied an immunoscreening method, in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT), to identify in vivo-induced genes during human infection by C. jejuni. An inducible expression library of genomic proteins was constructed from sequenced C. jejuni NCTC 11168 and was then screened using adsorbed, pooled human sera obtained from clinical patients. We successfully identified 24 unique genes expressed in vivo. These genes were implicated in metabolism, molecular biosynthesis, genetic information processing, transport, and other processes. We selected six genes with different functions to compare their expression levels in vivo and in vitro using real-time RT-PCR. The results showed that the selected six genes were significantly upregulated in vivo but not in vitro. In short, these identified in vivo-induced genes may contribute to human infection of C. jejuni, some of which may be meaningful vaccine candidate antigens or diagnosis serologic markers for campylobacteriosis. IVIAT may present a significant and efficient method for understanding the pathogenicity mechanism of Campylobacter and for finding targets for its prevention and control.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2020

From 2006 to 2009, 50 pigs suspected of enteritis associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) (EAPC) were collected. Gross and histopathologic examinations and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were performed on the small intestine of 50 pigs. The pigs with EAPC were concentrated in grower pigs (68%), and diarrhea (84%) was the most common clinical sign. Grossly, the walls of the small intestine were thickened, and mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged. The histopathologic features in the small intestine with EAPC were characterized by lymphoid depletion, histiocytic infiltration, and formation of basophilic grape-like inclusion bodies and multinucleated giant cells in gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT) and lamina propria. According to IHC, PCV-2 antigens were more intense and distributed widely in GALT (98%) than lamina propria (82%) of the small intestine. Co-infection with other enteric pathogens was detected in 26 pigs (52%). Twenty-four pigs (48%) were confirmed to be a PCV-2 single infection. Collectively, infected PCV-2 in the small intestine may induce an immunosuppressive status of individuals and then allow secondary co-infections in the digestive system. This study shows that PCV-2 can induce diarrhea and enteric lesions in pigs without a co-infection of other enteric pathogens.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.42
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• pp.12.1-12.9
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• 2020

Coronavirus is an enveloped virus with positive-sense single-stranded RNA. Coronavirus infection in humans mainly affects the upper respiratory tract and to a lesser extent the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical symptoms of coronavirus infections can range from relatively mild (similar to the common cold) to severe (bronchitis, pneumonia, and renal involvement). The disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was called Covid-19 by the World Health Organization in February 2020. Face-to-face communication and consistent exposure to body fluids such as blood and saliva predispose dental care workers at serious risk for 2019-nCoV infection. As demonstrated by the recent coronavirus outbreak, information is not enough. During dental practice, blood and saliva can be scattered. Accordingly, dental practice can be a potential risk for dental staff, and there is a high risk of cross-infection. This article addresses all information collected to date on the virus, in accordance with the guidelines of international health care institutions, and provides a comprehensive protocol for managing possible exposure to patients or those suspected of having coronavirus.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.145-153
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• 2019

Objectives: This case is significant as a rare observational record at the Korean medical practice field. This case reports progression of co-administration of Korean herbal medicines and conventional medicines for cough in patients with myocardial infarction relapse suspected of developing acute respiratory infection. Methods: First, the chest radiography, CBC count and urinalysis were performed to estimate patient's systematic condition. After the estimated diagnosis, the patient was treated with modified Dingchuan decoction, antibiotics, and complex syrup for cough. We used the Cough-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (CQLQ) to assess patient's respiratory symptoms. Results: Co-administration of Korean herbal medicines and conventional medicines resulted improving of cough and sputum symptoms. Laboratory analysis items and total score of CQLQ also showed significantly improved results. Adverse effects were not observed. Conclusions: In this case, we concluded that co-administration of Korean herbal medicine and conventional medicine may be an effective therapy for the treatment of cough in patients with myocardial relapse of developing acute respiratory infection.