Critical role of bile acid (BA) in the cellular entry and permissiveness of Hepatitis B virus in vitro

Hong‑Jai Lee,Bo‑Young Shin,Jae‑Seung Moon,Ailyn Fadriquela,Selikem Abla Nuwormegbe,Chun‑Chang Ho,Jin‑Su Shin,Jee‑Sang Yoon,Sang‑Kyou Lee,Soo‑Ki Kim 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2020 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.16 No.3

Background Lack of universal replication system for hepatitis B virus with narrow host range and organ tropism has hampered to uncover the pathogenesis of HBV. Previously, we reported the essentiality of humoral milieu and its components toward HBV and hepatitis C virus survival/viability in vitro. Of these components, the precise role of enterohepatic humoral milieu such as bile acid (BA) on HBV cultivation in vitro and in vivo is unknown. Objective We explored whether BA, specifically taurochenodeoxycholic acid (tCDCA) would directly regulate the viral DNA and surface antigen expression of HBV in vitro, consequently rendering HBV to enter into human or murine immortalized hepatocytes, and non-hepatocytes. Result We found that higher concentration of taurochenodeoxycholic acid (tCDCA) is able to preserve the genomic stability of HBV in cell-free DMEM, showing higher the surface antigenicity than taurocholic acid (tCA). In line, we found that in vitro cell culture condition (100 μmol/L of tCDCA coupled with 1 × 108 g e/mL HBV) would be optimal for HBV entry into target cells. Using this, human (HepG2, Huh7), and rodent (Hepa1c1c7, H4-II-E) hepatoma cell lines were infected by HBV, as evidenced by the presence of HBV biomarkers (HBsAg, and HBV DNA in culture supernatant, as well as HBcAg in cell). Further, cellular entry test revealed that HBV is able to infect 12 different non-hepatic cell lines regardless of species, and organ/tissue, consequently reproducing progeny as confirmed by HBV biomarkers. Last, reinfection test showed that the progenies of HBV from immortalized HepG2, and Hepa1c1c7 cells are able to enter into each or vice versa naïve HepG2, and Hepa1c1c7 cells with or without BA. Conclusion This study demonstrates that enterohepatic humoral milieu such as BA, specifically tCDCA would directly regulate HBV DNA and its surface antigen expression in vitro, consequently rendering HBV to enter into human or murine immortalized hepatocytes, and non-hepatocytes. This is the first note to render HBV permissive to human or rodent hepatic and non-hepatic cells via sole manipulation of humoral milieu, thus establishing the platform for in vitro robust replication system of HBV.

A field study of colloid transport in surface and subsurface flows

Zhang, Wei,Tang, Xiang-Yu,Xian, Qing-Song,Weisbrod, Noam,Yang, Jae E.,Wang, Hong-Lan Elsevier, etc 2016 Journal of hydrology Vol.542 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Colloids have been recognized to enhance the migration of strongly-sorbing contaminants. However, few field investigations have examined combined colloid transport via surface runoff and subsurface flows. In a headwater catchment of the upper Yangtze River, a 6m (L) by 4m (W) sloping (6°) farmland plot was built by cement walls to form no-flow side boundaries. The plot was monitored in the summer of 2014 for the release and transport of natural colloids via surface runoff and subsurface flows (i.e., the interflow from the soil-mudrock interface and fracture flow from the mudrock-sandstone interface) in response to rain events. The water sources of the subsurface flows were apportioned to individual rain events using a two end-member model (i.e., mobile pre-event soil water extracted by a suction-cup sampler <I>vs</I>. rainwater (event water)) based on <I>δ</I> <SUP>18</SUP>O measurements. For rain events with high preceding soil moisture, mobile pre-event soil water was the main contributor (generally >60%) to the fracture flow. The colloid concentration in the surface runoff was 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than that in the subsurface flows. The lowest colloid concentration was found in the subsurface interflow, which was probably the result of pore-scale colloid straining mechanisms. The rainfall intensity and its temporal variation govern the dynamics of the colloid concentrations in both surface runoff and subsurface flows. The duration of the antecedent dry period affected not only the relative contributions of the rainwater and the mobile pre-event soil water to the subsurface flows but also the peak colloid concentration, particularly in the fracture flow. The <10μm fine colloid size fraction accounted for more than 80% of the total suspended particles in the surface runoff, while the colloid size distributions of both the interflow and the fracture flow shifted towards larger diameters. These results highlight the need to avoid the application of strongly-sorbing agrochemicals (e.g., pesticides, phosphorus fertilizers) immediately before rainfall following a long no-rain period because their transport in association with colloids may occur rapidly over long distances via both surface runoff and subsurface flows with rainfall.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Subsurface flow was apportioned into rainwater and mobile pre-event soil water. </LI> <LI> The duration of no-rain period affects peak colloid concentration. </LI> <LI> Rainfall intensity and its temporal variation govern colloid discharge dynamics. </LI> </UL> </P>

기술금융기관의 효율성 분석사례

한상대(Sang-Dae Han),홍재범(Jae-Bum Hong) 한국인터넷전자상거래학회 2016 인터넷전자상거래연구 Vol.16 No.4

This case was to assess the efficiency of 26 technology appraisal centers(TAC) of Korea Technology Finance Corporation(KOTEC) and improve the efficiency. The research is based on the analysis of data collected from 2011 to 2013 with Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA). As the number of employees and business administrative expenses were used as input variables, leveraging the number of technology appraisal cases, the amount of technology credit guarantee provision and the amount of debt collection through exercising indemnity rights as well as revenues accruing from the technology appraisals were used as output variables. The purpose of those variables are aimed at representing the differentiated features of KOTEC from other conventional credit guarantee institutions. The analysis result showed that the efficiencies of TACs were high overall and improving in the way that their efficiency values show mostly over 0.9 on average. CCR model showed that the number of effective DMUs –represented as Technology Efficiency(TE) Value was 1 – was 7 in 2011 and 13 in 2013 while BCC model showed that the number of DMUs, whose values of Pure Technology Efficiency(PTE) was 1, was 15 in 2011 and 17 in 2013 respectively. The number of DMUs, whose value of Scale Efficiency(SE) is 1, had also been increased from 7 in 2011 to 13 in 2013. The number of DMUs was to show the status of “Constant Returns to Scale(CRS)” increased from 7 in 2011 to 13 in 2013. The number of DMUs was to show the status of “Increasing Returns to Scale(IRS)” was 16 in 2011 and 11 in 2013. The number on “Decreasing Returns to Scale(DRS)” had decreased from 3 in 2011 to 2 in 2013 respectively. Therefore, the number of efficient DMUs whose input was proportional to output –signaling the optimal efficient status- increased by 6. The number of DMUs which still had inefficiency and needed to step up the input had been decreased by 4 while the number of DMU which need to be scaled back the input is decreased by 1. Overall, efficiency of TACs has been increased. The result implies there are many DMUs which could increase the size efficiency, not through removing the inefficiencies by decreasing the input, but through scaling up the total size of output, leveraged by the consolidation of the internal analogous operation in order to make a synergy effect as well as the reduction of outsourcing tasks which have been related with claim collection process and hiring external technology appraisal experts. The benchmarked DMUs which could be the reference group were An-san, Sa-Sang and Sung-Nam TACs. They were located near to the industry complexes. So, their geographical conditions were well positioned to access to the technology-innovative corporations and venture startups, solidifying the fundamental to provide supply in accordance with the increasing demand of technology finance. The value of this study was that it analyses the efficiency of KOTEC takes the key role of technology financing based on technology appraisal. This research was distinctive in that it defined the input and output variables to measure the efficiency of credit guarantee institutions while earlier studies, most of which researched credit-evaluation based guarantee institutions, did not deal with those variables. It has implications which could be applied to evaluate the efficiency of public technology appraisal institution in the future.

Immobilization with Ketamine HCI and Tiletamine-Zolazepam in Cynomolgus Monkeys

Myung-cheol Kim,Sung-hyeok Hong,Soo-jin Lee,Young-suk Kim,Jae-il Lee 대한수의학회 2003 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.4 No.2

with Ketamine HCl and Tiletamine-Zolazepam in Cynomolgus MonkeysJae-il Lee, Sung-hyeok Hong, Soo-jin Lee, Young-suk Kim and Myung-cheol Kim*Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, KoreaReceived March 4, 2003 / Accepted July 2, 2003J. Vet. Sci. (2003), 4(2), 187-191JOURNAL OFVeterinaryScience*Corresponding author: Myung-cheol Kim Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea Tel: +82-42-821-6757, Fax: +82-42-822-4216 E-mail: mckim@cnu.ac.kr

Floristic characteristics of vascular plants and first distributional report of Pseudostellaria baekdusanensis M. Kim in Yongneup wetland protected area

Young-Chul Kim,Hyun-Hee Chae,Sang-Heock Oh,Seung-Ho Choi2,Moon-Pyo Hong3,Gi-Heum Nam,Jae-Yoon Choi,Hyun-Sook Choi,Kyu-Song Lee 한국환경생태학회 2015 한국환경생태학회지 Vol.29 No.2

Yongneup wetland protected area, the only high moor in Korea, is a core area to conserve biodiversity. Even though the Yongneup wetland protected area is relatively small, various plant species are distributed in the Yongneup wetland protected area because it includes various habitats showing different environmental gradients. Vascular plants distributed in the Yongneup wetland protected area were identified as a total of 376 taxa that is composed of 73 families, 217 genera, 322 species, 3 subspecies, 44 varieties and 7 forms. For endangered plants designated by the Ministry of Environment, 5 species including Trientalis europaea var. arctica, Lilium dauricum, Halenia corniculata, Lychnis wilfordii and Menyanthes trifoliata were found and 34 taxa were confirmed to be distributed only in the mountainous wetland habitats. Regarding naturalized plants, a total of 11 taxa were distributed, but most of them were distributed in the areas where artificial interference has occurred. And in areas inside the wetlands that are relatively well preserved, 2 species of Bidens frondosa and Erigeron annuus were observed. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of Pseudostellaria baekdusanensis M. Kim, which was recently found in Mt. Baekdu and reported as a new species, were identified in the Yongneup wetland protected area. A wetland is a very vulnerable area to drastic environmental changes and damages to its ecosystem could cause the extinction of rare plant species which are distributed only in the wetlands. Therefore, it is mandatory that current status of the Yongneup wetland protected area is evaluated and actions to prevent rapid environmental changes are taken. Fourteen separate investigations were conducted in 2013 and another four in 2014, to evaluate current status of the Yongneup wetland protected area. These investigations have provided us the basic information for future actions of conservation and restoration.

Interaction of <i>Veratrum nigrum</i> with <i>Panax ginseng</i> against Obesity: A Sang-ban Relationship

Park, Jinbong,Jeon, Yong-Deok,Kim, Hye-Lin,Lim, Hara,Jung, Yunu,Youn, Dong-Hyun,Jeong, Mi-Young,Kim, Hyun-Ju,Kim, Sung-Hoon,Kim, Su-Jin,Hong, Seung-Heon,Um, Jae-Young Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2013 Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medic Vol.2013 No.-

<P>Obesity has become a major health threat in developed countries. However, current medications for obesity are limited because of their adverse effects. Interest in natural products for the treatment of obesity is thus rapidly growing. Korean Medicine (KM) is characterized by the wide use of herbal formulas. However, the combination rule of herbal formulas in KM lacks experimental evidence. According to <I>Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica</I>, the earliest book of herbal medicine, <I>Veratrum nigrum</I> (VN) has antagonistic features against <I>Panax ginseng</I> (PG), and the PG-VN pair is strictly forbidden. In this study, we have shown the effects of PG, VN, and their combination on obesity in high-fat (HF) diet-induced obese mice and in 3T3-L1 cells. PG, VN, and PG-VN combination significantly reduced weight gain and the fat pad weight in HF diet-induced obese mice. They also significantly decreased lipid accumulation and the expressions of two major adipogenesis factors, PPAR<I><I>γ</I></I> and C/EBP<I><I>α</I></I>, in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, the PG-VN combination had synergistic effects compared with the mixture of extracts of PG and VN on inhibition of PPAR<I><I>γ</I></I> and C/EBP<I><I>α</I></I> expressions at lower doses. These results indicate a new potential anti-obese pharmacotherapy and also provide scientific evidence supporting the usage of herbal combinations instead of mixtures in KM.</P>

Ion beam Micropatterning of Polymer thin films using a 300-keV ion implanter

( Jae Hak Choi ),( Byoung Min Lee ),( Chan Hee Jung ),( In Tae Hwang ),( Mi Young An ),( Jung Soo Lee ),( Sung Kwon Hong ),( Kang Moo Huh ),( Young Chang Nho ) 한국공업화학회 2008 응용화학 Vol.12 No.2

The role of prophylactic antibiotics on surgical site infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Jae Uk Chong,Jin Hong Lim,Jee Ye Kim,Sung Hoon Kim,Kyung Sik Kim 한국간담췌외과학회 2015 한국간담췌외과학회지 Vol.19 No.4

Backgrounds/Aims: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common and widely accepted technique, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy still remains controversial. The aim of this study is to determine whether prophylactic antibiotics could prevent surgical site infection after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to identify any risk factors for surgical site infection. Methods: This study included 471 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2009 and May 2012. Period 1 patients (279) received second generation cephalosporin 1 g intravenously after induction of anesthesia, and Period 2 patients (192) were not given prophylactic antibiotics. The characteristics and surgical site infections of the patients were compared and analyzed. Results: The overall rate of surgical site infection was 1.69% for the total of 471 patients. The incidence of surgical site infection was similar for the two Periods: 5 of 279 patients (1.79%) in Period 1, 3 of 192 patients (1.56%) in Period 2 (p=0.973). All of the patients with surgical site infections were well treated under conservative treatments without any sequelae. The preoperative albumin level (p=0.023) contributed to surgical site infection. Conclusions: Prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy but patients in poor nutritional state with low albumin level should consider prophylactic antibiotics.

A Fibrinolytic Enzyme from the Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris

Jae-Sung Kim,Kumar Sapkota,Se-Eun Park,최봉석,김승,Nguyen Thi Hiep,김춘성,Han-Seok Choi,Myung-Kon Kim,Hong-Sung Chun,Yeal Park,Sung-Jun Kim 한국미생물학회 2006 The journal of microbiology Vol.44 No.6

In this study we purified a fibrinolytic enzyme from Cordyceps militaris using a combination of ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE Sephadex A-50 column, gel filtration chromatography on a Sephadex G-75 column, and FPLC on a HiLoad 16/60 Superdex 75 column. This purification protocol resulted in a 191.8-fold purification of the enzyme and a final yield of 12.9%. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 52 kDa by SDS-PAGE, fibrin-zymography, and gel filtration chromatography. The first 19 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence were ALTTQSNV THGLATISLRQ, which is similar to the subtilisin-like serine protease PR1J from Metarhizium anisopliae var. anisopliase. This enzyme is a neutral protease with an optimal reaction pH and temperature of 7.4 and 37°C, respectively. Results for the fibrinolysis pattern showed that the enzyme rapidly hydrolyzed the fibrin α-chain followed by the γ-γ chains. It also hydrolyzed the β-chain, but more slowly. The Aα, Bβ, and γ chains of fibrinogen were also cleaved very rapidly. We found that enzyme activity was inhibited by Cu2+ and Co2+, but enhanced by the additions of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, fibrinolytic enzyme activity was potently inhibited by PMSF and APMSF. This enzyme exhibited a high specificity for the chymotrypsin substrate S-2586 indicating it’s a chymotrypsin-like serine protease. The data we present suggest that the fibrinolytic enzyme derived from the edible and medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris has fibrin binding activity, which allows for the local activation of the fibrin degradation pathway.

Pilot Study of Heptaplatin, UFT-E and Leucovorin in Advanced Gastric Carcinoma

Sang Cheul Oh,So Young Yoon,Jae Hong Seo,Chul Won Choi,Byung Soo Kim,Sang Won Shin,Yeul Hong Kim,Si-Young Kim,Hwi Joong Yoon,Kyung Sam Cho,Jun Suk Kim 대한암학회 2003 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.35 No.2