286 research outputs found
The prM-independent packaging of pseudotyped Japanese encephalitis virus
As noted in other flaviviruses, the envelope (E) protein of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) interacts with a cellular receptor and mediates membrane fusion to allow viral entry into target cells, thus eliciting neutralizing antibody response. The formation of the flavivirus prM/E complex is followed by the cleavage of precursor membrane (prM) and membrane (M) protein by a cellular signalase. To test the effect of prM in JEV biology, we constucted JEV-MuLV pseudotyped viruses that express the prM/E protein or E only. The infectivity and titers of JEV pseudotyped viruses were examined in several cell lines. We also analyzed the neutralizing capacities with anti-JEV sera from JEV-immunized mice. Even though prM is crucial for multiple stages of JEV biology, the JEV-pseudotyped viruses produced with prM/E or with E only showed similar infectivity and titers in several cell lines and similar neutralizing sensitivity. These results showed that JEV-MuLV pseudotyped viruses did not require prM for production of infectious pseudotyped viruses
A Herbal Medicine, Gongjindan
This study protocol aims to explore the effectiveness, safety, and cost-effectiveness of a herbal medication, Gongjindan (GJD), in patients with chronic dizziness. This will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, clinical trial. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, psychogenic dizziness, or dizziness of unknown cause will be randomized and allocated to either a GJD or a placebo group in a 1 : 1 ratio. Participants will be orally given 3.75 g GJD or placebo in pill form once a day for 56 days. The primary outcome measure will be the Dizziness Handicap Inventory score. Secondary outcome measures will be as follows: severity (mean vertigo scale and visual analogue scale) and frequency of dizziness, balance function (Berg Balance Scale), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale) and deficiency pattern/syndrome (qi blood yin yang-deficiency questionnaire) levels, and depression (Korean version of Beck’s Depression Inventory) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) levels. To assess safety, adverse events, including laboratory test results, will be monitored. Further, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio will be calculated based on quality-adjusted life years (from the EuroQoL five dimensions’ questionnaire) and medical expenses. Data will be statistically analyzed at a significance level of 0.05 (two-sided). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03219515, in July 2017
Association of the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene polymorphism with ankylosing spondylitis in the Korean population
The PD-1 (programmed death 1) molecule is a negative regulator of T cells. PDCD1 (programmed cell death 1) has been reported to have a genetic association in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis in Caucasians. However, there are no reports on the association between this gene and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The present study investigated the association of the PD-1 polymorphisms and the haplotypes with AS in a Korean population sample. In a case-control association study, two single-nucleotide polymorphisms, PD-1.5 C/T and PD-1.9 T/C, were genotyped in 95 AS patients and 130 healthy controls. The T allele of the PD-1.9 polymorphism was more frequent in the Korean male population with AS than in the Korean male controls (21.0% versus 6.9%, odds ratio 1.89, 95% confidence interval 1.483 to 2.408). The frequency of the CT haplotype (PD-1.5 C/T and PD-1.9 T/C) was higher in the AS patients (19%) than the controls (5.4%) (odds ratio 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.559 to 2.521). The PD-1 polymorphism was demonstrated in Korean AS patients. The results suggest a genetic association between the PD-1 polymorphism and susceptibility to AS
Ultrastructure of Cryptosporidium parvum Found in the Small Intestine of Immunosuppressed Mice
The ultrastructure of various stages of Cryptosporidium parvum was
observed by transmission electron microscopy. C. parvum infection was activated in the
small intestine of Korean laboratory mice (fCR) by immunosuppression with
prednisolone for 7 weeks. The oocyst discharge was confirmed by modified Kinyon's
acid fast stain of fecal specimens. Various endogenous stages of parasites, i. e.,
trophozoites, meronts, merozoites, and macrogametocytes, were observed in the middle
part of the small intestine, as an extracytoplasmic but intracellular parasite of host
mucosal epithelial cells. In trophozoites, a large nucleus with a prominent nucleolus
was seen, and as they developed into meronts, endoplasmic reticulum appeared prominently
in the cytoplasm. Two kinds of meronts, type I and type II, with eight and four
merozoites respectively, were found. New merozoites were produced by nuclear division
and external budding of the residual body of the meronts. The merozoites were lined
with two unit membranes, unlike C. muris that has three membranes, and a nucleus
was located near the posterior end. Mature merozoites had conoids, rhoptries and numerous
micronemes; the characteristic structures of coccidian parasites. Macrogametocytes
were largely vacuolated and "wall-forming body I" was recognized. Other
sexual stages were difficult to recognize from our specimens. The present study confirmed
that the Cryptosporidium found in the small intestine of Korean laboratory mice
has a characteristic ultrastructure consistent with C. parvum
Changes in Histopathological and Serological Findings of the Liver after Treatment in Rabbit Clonorchiasis
In order to elucidate the recovery course and the residual change of clonorchiasis
after praziquantel treatment, the changing pattem of histopathological findings of the
liver, along with the serological, biochemical and hematological parameters, were evaluated
in experimental rabbit clonorchiasis. Twenty rabbits were infected each with 300 metacercariae
of Clonorchis sinensis and treated with praziquantel 200 mg/kg 14 weeks after infection.
Until one year after infection, a Widening of the bile ducts, proliferation of biliary
epithelium, and periductal fibrosis were observed in the liver, although the lesions became
much milder than those of the untreated rabbits. The levels of anti-e. sinensis IgG antibody
in the sera by EUSA decreased continuously after treatment. Biochemical items and hematological
parameters showed no consistent changing pattem after infection or after treatment. It
can be suggested that the histopathological lesions of rabbit cionorchlais, i.e., duct dilatation,
hyperplasia of biliary epithelium and periductal fibrosis, may be hardly reversible. However,
the level of circulating specific IgG antibody decreased significantly according to the healing
process of inflammation
The First Very Long Baseline Interferometry Image of 44 GHz Methanol Maser with the KVN and VERA Array (KaVA)
We have carried out the first very long baseline interferometry (VLBI)
imaging of 44 GHz class I methanol maser (7_{0}-6_{1}A^{+}) associated with a
millimeter core MM2 in a massive star-forming region IRAS 18151-1208 with KaVA
(KVN and VERA Array), which is a newly combined array of KVN (Korean VLBI
Network) and VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry). We have succeeded in
imaging compact maser features with a synthesized beam size of 2.7
milliarcseconds x 1.5 milliarcseconds (mas). These features are detected at a
limited number of baselines within the length of shorter than approximately 650
km corresponding to 100 Mlambda in the uv-coverage. The central velocity and
the velocity width of the 44 GHz methanol maser are consistent with those of
the quiescent gas rather than the outflow traced by the SiO thermal line. The
minimum component size among the maser features is ~ 5 mas x 2 mas, which
corresponds to the linear size of ~ 15 AU x 6 AU assuming a distance of 3 kpc.
The brightness temperatures of these features range from ~ 3.5 x 10^{8} to 1.0
x 10^{10} K, which are higher than estimated lower limit from a previous Very
Large Array observation with the highest spatial resolution of ~ 50 mas. The 44
GHz class I methanol maser in IRAS 18151-1208 is found to be associated with
the MM2 core, which is thought to be less evolved than another millimeter core
MM1 associated with the 6.7 GHz class II methanol maser.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figure
The Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Symptoms and Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Observational Study
Proteomic Profiling and Epitope Analysis of the Complex α-, γ-, and ω-Gliadin Families in a Commercial Bread Wheat
Wheat gliadins are a complex group of proteins that contribute to the functional properties of wheat flour doughs and contain epitopes that are relevant for celiac disease (CD) and wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis (WDEIA). In this study, we extracted ethanol-soluble gliadin fractions from flour of the Korean bread wheat cultivar Keumkang. Proteins were separated by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) using a pI range of 6–11 in the first dimension and subjected to tandem mass spectrometry. α-, γ-, and ω-gliadins were identified as the predominant proteins in 31, 28, and one 2-DE spot, respectively. An additional six ω-gliadins were identified in a separate experiment in which a pI range of 3–11 was used for protein separation. We analyzed the composition of CD- and WDEIA-relevant epitopes in the gliadin sequences from Keumkang flour, demonstrating the immunogenic potential of this cultivar. Detailed knowledge about the complement of gliadins accumulated in Keumkang flour provides the background necessary to devise either breeding or biotechnology strategies to improve the functional properties and reduce the adverse health effects of the flour
Intermediate and Long-Term Results of Transcatheter Closure of Patent Foramen Ovale Using the Amplatzer Patent Foramen Ovale Occluder: One Case of Pulmonary Embolism Irrespective of Patent Foramen Ovale Closure
Sonographic Evaluation of Breast Nodules: Comparison of Conventional, Real-Time Compound, and Pulse-Inversion Harmonic Images
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