7 research outputs found
Review of recently reported Ricin detection techniques focusing on combined immunoassay detection with abrin and saxitoxin in human plasma
Increasing non-traditional threats from biological or chemical weapons, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have tried to perform the preliminary analysis of biotoxin sample to standardize analysis methods and strengthen analytical capabilities among OPCW member countries. With the changes of new analysis, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute (CDRI) established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytotoxicity analysis methods for ricin, abrin, and saxitoxin through the OPCW exercise on Biotoxin sample analysis. Thus, this study aims to established analytical methods (ELISA and cytotoxicity analysis) for the biological toxins called ricin, abrin and saxitoxin according to recent OPCW Biotoxin detection exercise. In particular, to refine practical and effective methods of biological analysis, we reviewed recent research on scientific analysis of ricin as a potential bioterror weapon, letter with ricin sent in White House, and suggested future agendas for preparedness testing
Vaccine effectiveness and the epidemiological characteristics of a COVID-19 outbreak in a tertiary hospital in Republic of Korea
Objectives Healthcare facilities are high-risk sites for infection. This study analyzed the epidemiological characteristics of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a tertiary hospital after COVID-19 vaccination had been introduced in Republic of Korea. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) and shared anti-infection strategies are also assessed. Methods The risk levels for 4,074 contacts were evaluated. The epidemiological characteristics of confirmed cases were evaluated using the chi-square test. The â1 minus relative riskâ method was used to determine VE in preventing infection, progression to severe disease, and death. In the largest affected area (the 8th floor), a separate relative risk analysis was conducted. A multivariate logistic regression analysis (with 95% confidence interval [CIs]) was used to identify transmission risk factors with a significance level <10% via the backward elimination method. Results In total, 181 cases of COVID-19 were confirmed, with an attack rate of 4.4%. Of those cases, 12.7% progressed to severe disease, and 8.3% died. In the cohort isolation area on the 8th floor, where 79.0% of the confirmed cases occurred, the adjusted odds ratio was 6.55 (95% CI, 2.99â14.33) and 2.19 (95% CI, 1.24â3.88) for caregivers and the unvaccinated group, respectively. VE analysis revealed that 85.8% of the cases that progressed to severe disease and 78.6% of the deaths could be prevented by administering a second vaccine. Conclusion Caregiver training for infection prevention and control is necessary to reduce infection risk. Vaccination is an important intervention to reduce the risk of progression to severe disease and death
Review of recently reported Ricin detection techniques focusing on combined immunoassay detection with abrin and saxitoxin in human plasma
Increasing non-traditional threats from biological or chemical weapons, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have tried to perform the preliminary analysis of biotoxin sample to standardize analysis methods and strengthen analytical capabilities among OPCW member countries. With the changes of new analysis, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute (CDRI) established enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and cytotoxicity analysis methods for ricin, abrin, and saxitoxin through the OPCW exercise on Biotoxin sample analysis. Thus, this study aims to established analytical methods (ELISA and cytotoxicity analysis) for the biological toxins called ricin, abrin and saxitoxin according to recent OPCW Biotoxin detection exercise. In particular, to refine practical and effective methods of biological analysis, we reviewed recent research on scientific analysis of ricin as a potential bioterror weapon, letter with ricin sent in White House, and suggested future agendas for preparedness testing
Exploring collective experience in watching dance through intersubject correlation and functional connectivity of fMRI brain activity
How the brain contends with naturalistic viewing conditions when it must cope with concurrent streams of diverse sensory inputs and internally generated thoughts is still largely an open question. In this study, we used fMRI to record brain activity while a group of 18 participants watched an edited dance duet accompanied by a soundtrack. After scanning, participants performed a short behavioral task to identify neural correlates of dance segments that could later be recalled. Intersubject correlation (ISC) analysis was used to identify the brain regions correlated among observers, and the results of this ISC map were used to define a set of regions for subsequent analysis of functional connectivity. The resulting network was found to be composed of eight subnetworks and the significance of these subnetworks is discussed. While most subnetworks could be explained by sensory and motor processes, two subnetworks appeared related more to complex cognition. These results inform our understanding of the neural basis of common experience in watching dance and open new directions for the study of complex cognition
Inkjet printed electronics using copper nanoparticle ink
Inkjet printing of electrode using copper nanoparticle ink is presented. Electrode was printed on a flexible glass epoxy composite substrate using drop on demand piezoelectric dispenser and was sintered at 200 °C of low temperature in N2 gas condition. The printed electrodes were made with various widths and thickness. In order to control the thickness of the printed electrode, number of printing was varied. Resistivity of printed electrode was calculated from the cross-sectional area measured by a profilometer and resistance measured by a digital multimeter. Surface morphology of electrode was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). From the study, it was found that 10 times printed electrode has the most stable grain structure and low resistivity of 36.7 nΩ m
The tumor suppressive effect and apoptotic mechanism of TRAIL geneâcontaining recombinant NDV in TRAILâresistant colorectal cancer HTâ29 cells and TRAILânonresistant HCT116 cells, with each cell bearing a mouse model
Abstract Background TRAIL is an anticancer drug that induces cancer cell apoptosis by interacting with death receptors (DRs). However, owing to low cellâsurface expression of DRs, certain colorectal cancer (CRC) cells resist TRAILâinduced apoptosis. Newcastle disease virus (NDV) infection can elevate DR protein expression in cancer cells, potentially influencing their TRAIL sensitivity. However, the precise mechanism by which NDV infection modulates DR expression and impacts TRAIL sensitivity in cancer cells remains unknown. Methods Herein, we developed nonpathogenic NDV VG/GA strainâbased recombinant NDV (rNDV) and TRAIL geneâcontaining rNDV (rNDVâTRAIL). We observed that viral infections lead to increased DR and TRAIL expressions and activate signaling proteins involved in intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Experiments were conducted in vitro using TRAILâresistant CRC cells (HTâ29) and nonresistant CRC cells (HCT116) and in vivo using relevant mouse models. Results rNDVâTRAIL was found to exhibit better apoptotic efficacy than rNDV in CRC cells. Notably, rNDVâTRAIL had the stronger cancer cellâkilling effect in TRAILâresistant CRC cells. Western blot analyses showed that both rNDV and rNDVâTRAIL infections activate signaling proteins involved in the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Notably, rNDVâTRAIL promotes concurrent intrinsic and extrinsic signal transduction in both HCTâ116 and HTâ29 cells. Conclusions Therefore, rNDVâTRAIL infection effectively enhances DR expression in DRâdepressed HTâ29 cells. Moreover, the TRAIL protein expressed by rNDVâTRAIL effectively interacts with DR, leading to enhanced apoptosis in TRAILâresistant HTâ29 cells. Therefore, rNDVâTRAIL has potential as a promising therapeutic approach for treating TRAILâresistant cancers