• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.394-401
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• 2008

In order to access the suppressive effects of piroxicam (PX) and hydrolyzed products of Scutellariae Radix (PSH) on arthritis, we investigated whether PSH gel could suppress the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. PX, one of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been used in the systemic and topical treatment in a variety of inflammatory conditions. Scutellariae Radix, one of the herbal medicines, was used for the purpose of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterials. For the purpose of transdermal absorption of the hydrogel preparations, two classes of hydrogels (PX, PSH) were formulated with carbomer 940, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, polyethylene glycol-8-glyceryl caprylate/caprate and triethanolamine. In carrageenan-induced edema in rat hind paws, inhibition of foot swelling was more increased in PSH than PX hydrogel. Rheumatoid factors including serum IgG, IgM and collagen specific antibody were present much lower in PSH gel treated mice than control. Histological examination revealed that PSH hydrogel inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into affected paw joint, compared with control. The PSH hydrogel would be a suitable preparation to increase transdermal treatment for anti-inflammatory effects on collagen-induced arthritis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2003

Purpose: This study aims to determine the infection rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in gastric cancer patients who received gastrectomies, and to compare the rates of H.pylori infection detected by serological test and that of histopathological test, and to evaluate its clinical meaning. Materials and Methods: Fifty two patients were selected from those who underwent gastrectomies at the Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, from March 1997 to May 1997. The control group consisted of healthy 103 persons visited the center for health promotion in Samsung Medical Center. In both groups, we quantitatively checked serum level of IgG anti H. pylori antibody titer by ELISA using GAP IgG test kit (BioRad, USA) for the serological test, and we microscopically examined the surgical specimen stained by Warthin-Starry silver staining method for the histopathological test. Results: The seropositive rate of H. pylori in the patients' group was $71.2\%$ (37/52), and the control group was $65.0\%$ (67/103). The difference between two groups was statistically significant. However the histopathological study showed that the overall detection rate of H. pylori was $61.5\%$ (32/52) in the patients' group and $61.2\%$ (63/103) in the control group; nd this difference was not statistically significant Conclusion: We could confirm that H.pylori infection rate in the gastric cancer resected patients was statistically higher than in the normal healthy persons even in small population. And the detection method for the H. pylori infection by serological test was presumed to be better than that of histopathological test using surgical specimen. Further study for the larger population by well-organized multicenters will be needed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.423-428
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• 1997

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic gram-negative human pathogen, which affects people with underlying liver diseases or a suppressed immune system, often leading to primary septicemia with a mortality rate of higher than 60%. In an effort to develop an oral vaccine against V. vulnificus infection, we prepared a whole cell killed vaccine of V. vulnificus on a large scale and compared the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the vaccine administered in three formulation forms in rabbits. Since V. vulnificus O-antigen serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 account for more than 95% of clinical isolates, we prepared cell lysates from these six serotype strains and mixed in equal amounts for a vaccine. The vaccine was administered to rabbits intramuscularly (i.m.), orally as granules or as enteric-coated granules. In rabbits, all three formulation forms elicited a high level of serum IgG antibody reactive not only to the six strains but also to other O-antigen serotypes 6, 8 and 9, indicating cross-reactivities among the strains. Immunotherapeutic efficacy of the antisera was also evaluated by a passive immunization assay, which revealed that the orally immunized antisera as well as the i.m. immunized antisera was protective against a subsequent lethal challenge of V. vulnificus. These data demonstrate that oral immunization with a V. vulnificus whole cell lysate vaccine induced a systemic immune response and suggest the feasibility of development of this vaccine preparation as an oral vaccine.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.87-102
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• 1992

A rapid, sensitive, and specific enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) for bovine casein was developed. Biotinylated casein and peroxidase-conjugated avidin were used in the assay with antibody separated from yolks of immunized hens. Caseins were biotinylated with sulfo-N-hydroxy succinimido biotin and peroxi-dase-conjugated avidin bound the biotinylated casein which became bound to immobilized anti-body on a microplate. The antibodies were specific for bovine $\alpha$- and $\beta$-caseins, and their cross-reactivities with whey proteins, IgG, and serum albumin from bovine were not detectable by ELISA and Western blot. Various sensitivities ranging from 2ng/ml to 20${\mu}\textrm{g}$/ml of casein were achieved, and were controlled by adding vanous concentrations of the biotinylated casein. Parallelism was observed between standard and sample curves. The coefficients of variation of intra-assays and inter-assays from the most sensitive assay were 5.5 and 5.7%, respectively, at the 50% displacement. Casein contents of peripaturient milk samples showed that casein secretion rapidly increased 3d prepartum.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2017

Hyperlipidemia, which is closely associated with a fatty diet and aging, is commonly observed in the western and aged society. Therefore, a novel therapeutic approach for this disease is critical, and an immunological view has been suggested as a novel strategy, because hyperlipidemia is closely associated with inflammation and immune dysfunction. In this study, the effects of an aqueous extract of Rubus occidentalis (RO) in obese mice were investigated using immunological indexes. The mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidemia, which was confirmed by biochemical analysis and examination of the mouse physiology. Two different doses of RO and rosuvastatin, a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor used as a control, were orally administered. Disturbances in immune cellularity as well as lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production were significantly normalized by oral administration of RO, which also decreased the elevated serum tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ level and total cholesterol. The specific immune-related actions of RO comprised considerable improvement in cytotoxic T cell killing functions and regulation of antibody production to within the normal range. The immunological evidence confirms the significant cholesterol-lowering effect of RO, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia and associated immune decline.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.51
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• pp.340.1-340.14
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• 2018

Background: Various pneumococcal vaccines have been evaluated for immunogenicity by opsonophagocytic assay (OPA). A multiplexed OPA (MOPA) for 13 pneumococcal serotypes was developed by Nahm and Burton, and expanded to 26 serotypes in 2012. The development of new conjugate vaccines with increased valence has necessitated expanded MOPAs to include these additional serotypes. In this study, we validated this expanded MOPA platform and applied to measure antibodies against 11 additional serotypes (2, 8, 9N, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15B, 17F, 20B, 22F, and 33F) in human sera. Methods: All materials, including serum, complement, bacterial master stocks, and HL-60 cells, were evaluated for assay optimization. Following optimization, the assay was validated for accuracy, specificity, and intra- and inter-assay precision with sera from adult donors following standard protocols. The assay was applied to evaluate functional antibodies of 42 sera immunized with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23). Results: The expanded MOPA platform was specific for all serotypes, with the exception of serotype 20. The assay results were highly correlated with those obtained from single-serotype OPA, indicating acceptable accuracy. The coefficients of variation were 7%-24% and 13%-39% in tests of intra- and inter-assay precision, respectively, using three quality-control samples. A MOPA that included 11 additional serotypes in the PPV23 was established and validated with respect to accuracy, specificity, and precision. The opsonic indices of immune sera were obtained using this validated assay. Conclusion: The expanded MOPA will be useful for evaluation of the immunogenicity of PPV23 and future conjugate vaccine formulations.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2019

Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, which actually does not exist a vaccine for control or prevention. Thus, the identification of new and potent immunogens in T. vaginalis, which can contribute to the development of a vaccine against this parasite, is necessary. Therefore, the aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of a recombinant Transient Receptor Potential-like channel of T. vaginalis (TvTRPV), as a promising immunogen in BALB/c mice. First, TvTRPV was cloned and expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli BL21 cells and purified by nickel affinity. Next, BALB/c mice were immunized and the antibody levels in mice serum and cytokines from the supernatant of macrophages and from co-culture systems were evaluated. Recombinant TvTRPV triggered high levels of specific total IgG in sera from the immunized mice. Also, a statistically significant increase of cytokines: $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ after stimulation with the corresponding antigens in vitro, was identified. Moreover, co-cultures using $CD4^+$ T cells from immunized mice were able to identify higher levels of IL-10 and $IFN-{\gamma}$. These results were useful to validate the immunogenicity of TvTRPV in BALB/c mice, where IL-10-$IFN-{\gamma}$-secreting cells could play a role in infection control, supporting the potential of TvTRPV as a promising target for vaccine against T. vaginalis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.3
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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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2021

Q fever is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Domestic ruminants are considered to be major source of human infection. The aim of this survey was to investigate seroprevalence of C. burnetii in ruminants in Gwangju area. A total of 1,000 samples (serum and lactoserum) were collected from 987 Korean native cattle, 5 Korean native goats, 2 beef cattle, 6 bulk-tank milk from each dairy farm in Gwangju area from January to October 2020 and analyzed by ELISA. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in bulk-tank milk from each dairy farms was 50.0%. Korean black goat and beef cattle had negative antibody test results for C. burnetii. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle in Gwangju area was 7.1% and was higher in female (7.8%) than in male (3.4%) (P=0.024). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii in Korean native cattle appeared to increase with age (3.8% in 1 year-old, 7.1% in 3 year-old, and 10.7% in more than 5 year-old) (P<0.001). The seroprevalence of C. burnetii of Korean native cattle increased in spring and May was the highest in particular (P<0.001). As the distribution and density of tick-habitat are expected to increase due to climate crisis, this survey highlights the need for monitoring C. burnetii in domestic ruminants, including surveillance of C. burnetii infection in people working for livestock industry.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.141-154
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• 2022

Purpose: C57BL/6 mice, which are among the most common backgrounds for genetically engineered mice, are resistant to the induction of periodontitis by oral infection with periodontal pathogens. This study aimed to develop a periodontitis model in C57BL/6 mice using coaggregation between human pathogens and the mouse oral commensal Streptococcus danieliae (Sd). Methods: The abilities of Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 (Pg33277), P. gingivalis ATCC 49417 (Pg49417), P. gingivalis KUMC-P4 (PgP4), Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. nucleatum ATCC 25586 (Fnn), and F. nucleatum subsp. animalis KCOM 1280 (Fna) to coaggregate with Sd were tested by a sedimentation assay. The Sd-noncoaggregating Pg33277 and 2 Sd-coaggregating strains, PgP4 and Fna, were chosen for animal experiments. Eighty C57BL/6 mice received oral gavage with Sd once and subsequently received vehicle alone (sham), Fna, Pg33277, PgP4, or Fna+PgP4 6 times at 2-day intervals. Mice were evaluated at 5 or 8 weeks after the first gavage of human strains. Results: Fnn, Fna, and PgP4 efficiently coaggregated with Sd, but Pg33277 and Pg49417 did not. Alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the PgP4 group at both time points (weeks 5 and 8) and in all experimental groups at week 8 compared with the sham group. The PgP4 group presented greater alveolar bone loss than the other experimental groups at both time points. A higher degree of alveolar bone loss accompanied higher bacterial loads in the oral cavity, the invasion of not only PgP4 but also Sd and Fna, and the serum antibody responses to these bacteria. Conclusions: Periodontitis was successfully induced in C57BL/6 mice by oral infection with a P. gingivalis strain that persists in the oral cavity through coaggregation with a mouse oral commensal bacterium. This new model will be useful for studying the role of human oral bacteria-host interactions in periodontitis using genetically engineered mice.