Establishment and Achievements of Research-oriented Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Resource Center of the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis

( Hyeonji Kim ),( Jeong Seong Yang ),( Minji Kang ),( Seung Heon Lee ),( Nakwon Kwak ),( Jae-joon Yim ),( Young Ae Kang ),( Hong Jo Choi ),( Jong-seok Kim ),( Hwa-jung Kim ),( Jake Whang ) 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2020 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 추계학술대회 초록집 Vol.128 No.0

Background Nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM PD) is rapidly increasing worldwide, including in south Korea. As part of the trend to find biomarkers for NTM PD, a multicenter prospective observational cohort study named ‘NTM-KOREA’ involving seven hospitals and two institutes in south Korea was initiated. In order to discover meaningful bacterial factors from preserved strains, the central role of Korean Mycobacterium Resource Center (KMRC) in KIT has been extended from strain preservation to research since 2018. Methods In South Korea, all NTM drug susceptibility tests have been performed at KIT except one tertiary hospital. When the patient's treatment is initiated, when the negative conversion fails after treatment, or when relapse/reinfection is observed, a drug susceptibility test is requested, and the clinical isolates are then stored in KMRC. Some strains are specifically registered in a mycobacterial extract library consisting of cell wall lipidomes and secreted proteomes. These strains are cultured on solid medium, and by observing the colonies, it is possible to confirm the presence of mixed infection and the rough or smooth colony surface morphology concerning NTM disease progression. Results From October 2018 to the present, a total of 7,000 NTM isolates of NTM-KOREA have been collected, of which 350 strains have been registered in the extract library additionally. Through a recent joint study with Seoul National University Hospital, we found that the treatment rate of clofazimine as an NTM treatment is related to minimum inhibitory concentration of each clinical isolate. Conclusions Despite various studies on NTM PD, the existence of biomarkers and bacterial factors applicable to diagnosis and treatment is still not satisfactory. When considering as an infectious disease, the causative agent is also very important as well as biomarkers. Accordingly, we will continue to investigate the characteristics of Korean NTM isolates extensively and to select prominent bacterial factors.

3D cell printing of islet-laden pancreatic tissue-derived extracellular matrix bioink constructs for enhancing pancreatic functions

Kim, Jaewook,Shim, In Kyong,Hwang, Dong Gyu,Lee, Yu Na,Kim, Myungji,Kim, Hyeonji,Kim, Seok-Won,Lee, Song,Kim, Song Cheol,Cho, Dong-Woo,Jang, Jinah The Royal Society of Chemistry 2019 Journal of materials chemistry. B, Materials for b Vol.7 No.10

<P>Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a form of diabetes that inhibits or halts insulin production in the pancreas. Although various therapeutic options are applied in clinical settings, not all patients are treatable with such methods due to the instability of the T1DM or the unawareness of hypoglycemia. Islet transplantation using a tissue engineering-based approach may mark a clinical significance, but finding ways to increase the function of islets in 3D constructs is a major challenge. In this study, we suggest pancreatic tissue-derived extracellular matrix as a potential candidate to recapitulate the native microenvironment in transplantable 3D pancreatic tissues. Notably, insulin secretion and the maturation of insulin-producing cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells were highly up-regulated when cultured in pdECM bioink. In addition, co-culture with human umbilical vein-derived endothelial cells decreased the central necrosis of islets under 3D culture conditions. Through the convergence of 3D cell printing technology, we validated the possibility of fabricating 3D constructs of a therapeutically applicable transplant size that can potentially be an allogeneic source of islets, such as patient-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived insulin-producing cells.</P>

Collection and Preservation of Clinical Isolates from Patients with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease in Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

( Hyeonji Kim ),( Jeong Seong Yang ),( Minji Kang ),( Ahn Nam Joung ),( Cha So Jeong ),( Nakwon Kwak ),( Jae-joon Yim ),( Young Ae Kang ),( Jong-seok Kim ),( Hwa-jung Kim ),( Gyeong In Lee ),( Seung H 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 2021 대한결핵 및 호흡기학회 추계학술대회 초록집 Vol.129 No.-

Background Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM PD) is increasing not only in South Korea but also worldwide. The seriousness of NTM PD is further raised because of the high relapse rate and low cure rate in its treatment. For the optimization of treatments for NTM PD patients, the first multicenter prospective cohort study named ‘NTM-KOREA’ involving eight hospitals and two institutes in South Korea and East Asia was initiated. One of these institutions, the Korean Tuberculosis Research Institute (KIT), plays the role of a strain bank through the Korea Mycobacterium Resource Center (KMRC) collecting and preserving clinical isolates from NTM-KOREA. Methods In South Korea, all NTM drug susceptibility tests have been performed at KIT except one tertiary hospital. When the patient's treatment is initiated, when the negative conversion fails after treatment, or when relapse/reinfection is observed, a drug susceptibility test is requested, and the clinical isolates are then stored in KMRC. Some strains are specifically registered in a mycobacterial extract library consisting of cell wall lipidomes and secreted proteomes. These strains are cultured on solid medium, and by observing the colonies, it is possible to confirm the presence of mixed infection and the rough or smooth colony surface morphology concerning NTM disease progression. Results From October 2018 to the present, a total of 10,510 NTM isolates of NTM-KOREA have been collected, of which 1,387 strains have been registered in the extract library additionally. Conclusion Despite various studies on NTM PD, the existence of biomarkers and bacterial factors applicable to diagnosis and treatment is still not satisfactory. In the future, genetic mutations will be searched through whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of treatment-failing/relapse strains, and related SNP will be searched and selected by comparing them with the control group. We will continue to investigate the characteristics of Korean NTM isolates extensively.

가축분퇴비의 종류와 토지유형에 따른 양분 무기화 평가

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),곽경진(Kyungjin Kwak),최덕수(Ducksoo Choi),권오도(Ohdo Kwon) 한국토양비료학회 2020 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2020 No.10

전남지역 주요 과수 비료사용량과 토양검정 시비처방량 비교

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),곽경진(Kyungjin Kwak),최덕수(Ducksoo Choi),권오도(Ohdo Kwon) 한국토양비료학회 2020 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2020 No.10

전남지역 농업용 지하수의 수질특성

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),신길호(Gilho Shin),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),양승구(Seonggu Yang),김희권(Heekwon Kim),허승오(Seungoh Hur) 한국토양비료학회 2017 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2017 No.10

전남지역 시설토양 화학성 및 중금속 변동특성

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),곽경진(Kyungjin Kwak),최덕수(Ducksoo Choi),권오도(Ohdo Kwon) 한국토양비료학회 2020 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2020 No.10

Fluvoxamine Treatment of Patients with Symptomatic COVID-19 in a Community Treatment Center: A Preliminary Result of Randomized Controlled Trial

Seo Hyeonji,Kim Haein,Bae Seongman,Park Seonghee,Chung Hyemin,Sung Heungsup,Jung Jiwon,Kim Min-Jae,Kim Sung-Han,Lee Sang-Oh,Choi Sang-Ho,Kim Yang Soo,Son Ki Young,Chong Yong Pil 대한감염학회 2022 Infection and Chemotherapy Vol.54 No.1

Background This study aimed to evaluate whether fluvoxamine reduces clinical deterioration in adult patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to identify risk factors for clinical deterioration in patients admitted to a community treatment center (CTC). Materials and Methods A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a CTC, in Seoul, Korea from January 15, 2021, to February 19, 2021. Symptomatic adult patients with positive results of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real time-polymerase chain reaction within 3 days of randomization were assigned at random to receive 100 mg of fluvoxamine or placebo twice daily for 10 days. The primary outcome was clinical deterioration defined by any of the following criteria: oxygen requirement to keep oxygen saturation over 94.0%, aggravation of pneumonia with dyspnea, or World Health Organization clinical progression scale 4 or greater. Results Of 52 randomized participants [median (interquartile range) age, 53.5 (43.3 - 60.0) years; 31 (60.0%) men], 44 (85.0%) completed the trial. Clinical deterioration occurred in 2 of 26 patients in each group (P >0.99). There were no serious adverse events in either group. Clinical deterioration occurred in 15 (6.0%) of 271 patients admitted to the CTC, and all of them were transferred to a hospital. In multivariate analysis, age between 55 and 64, fever and pneumonia at admission were independent risk factors for clinical deterioration. Conclusion In this study of adult patients with symptomatic COVID-19 who were admitted to the CTC, there was no significant differences in clinical deterioration between patients treated with fluvoxamine and placebo (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04711863). Background This study aimed to evaluate whether fluvoxamine reduces clinical deterioration in adult patients with mild to moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and to identify risk factors for clinical deterioration in patients admitted to a community treatment center (CTC). Materials and Methods A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in a CTC, in Seoul, Korea from January 15, 2021, to February 19, 2021. Symptomatic adult patients with positive results of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 real time-polymerase chain reaction within 3 days of randomization were assigned at random to receive 100 mg of fluvoxamine or placebo twice daily for 10 days. The primary outcome was clinical deterioration defined by any of the following criteria: oxygen requirement to keep oxygen saturation over 94.0%, aggravation of pneumonia with dyspnea, or World Health Organization clinical progression scale 4 or greater. Results Of 52 randomized participants [median (interquartile range) age, 53.5 (43.3 - 60.0) years; 31 (60.0%) men], 44 (85.0%) completed the trial. Clinical deterioration occurred in 2 of 26 patients in each group (P >0.99). There were no serious adverse events in either group. Clinical deterioration occurred in 15 (6.0%) of 271 patients admitted to the CTC, and all of them were transferred to a hospital. In multivariate analysis, age between 55 and 64, fever and pneumonia at admission were independent risk factors for clinical deterioration. Conclusion In this study of adult patients with symptomatic COVID-19 who were admitted to the CTC, there was no significant differences in clinical deterioration between patients treated with fluvoxamine and placebo (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04711863).

벼 맥후작 보릿짚 토양환원 정지 방법이 토양특성 및 쌀수량에 미치는 영향

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),이소연(Soyeon Lee),곽경진(Kyungjin Kwak),이진우(Jinwoo Lee) 한국토양비료학회 2021 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2021 No.11

맥후작 벼 재배 농가에서 보릿짚을 가장 손쉽게 처리하는 방법으로 소각처리를 하고 있으며, 이로 인한 대기오염과 일시 소각으로 인한 민원발생이 증가하고 있는 추세이다. 농가에서는 이앙작업의 불편함과 보릿짚 미부숙으로 인한 벼 초기생육 저해 등의 문제로 보릿짚의 토양환원을 기피하고 있는 실정이며, 보릿짚 소각 시 CO, NOx, SOx등의 대기오염물질이 배출되는데 이들 물질은 미세먼지 발생의 전구물질로 알려져 있다. 따라서 보릿짚 소각에 의한 대기오염 및 민원해소와 보릿짚을 효과적으로 토양에 환원하기 위해 콤바인 종류별 정지방법을 비교하였다. 보리 수확 콤바인은 자탈형콤바인과 보통형콤바인 2종류로 보리수확 시 보릿짚 처리방법이 다르다. 자탈형콤바인은 이삭부분만 탈곡통에 투입해서 이삭 부분의 알곡만 털어내므로 보릿짚이 뭉개지지 않고 10∼40cm 크기로 나온다. 반면 보통형콤바인은 줄기와 이삭을 동시에 탈곡기에 넣는 형식으로 보릿짚을 통째로 넣어 털기 때문에 보릿짚이 10cm이하로 잘게 잘려서 나와 콤바인 종류에 따라 보릿짚이 처리되는 형태가 다르다. 콤바인 종류에 따른 토양환원 정지 처리방법으로 자탈형콤바인은 경운+물로타리 2회, 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 1회, 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 2회처리, 보통형콤바인은 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 1회, 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 2회, 물로타리 1회, 물로타리 2회를 처리하였고 대조구로 보릿짚 소각 처리구를 두었다. 모든 처리구의 비배관리는 보리 수확 후 보릿짚 부숙 촉진을 위해 규산을 10a당 120kg, 벼 밑거름용 복합비료를 10a당 45kg(질소 22% 기준)을 시용하였다. 농가에서 보릿짚의 토양 환원을 기피하는 이유 중 하나가 보릿짚 부유에 의한 농기계 작업 불편과 이앙시 뜬묘 발생이다. 로타리 종류 및 정지 방법별 보릿짚 부유정도는 1∼5 정도로 물로타리 1회 처리를 제외하고는 모두 3 이하로 기계이앙 작업에 지장이 없었으며, 모 결주율도 1.7∼2.7%로 낮게 조사되었다. 보릿짚 토양 환원시 보릿짚 분해에 따른 유기산 및 가스발생, 활착지연 등에 의한 초기 생육저해도 보릿짚 토양 환원을 기피하는 이유 중 하나이다. 그러나 보릿짚 투입 후 토양 화학적 특성 변화 조사결과 암모니아태질소 함량이 이앙 20일 까지 증가하다 중간 물떼기 이후 감소되었으며, 대조구인 보릿짚 소각 처리보다 낮아 벼 초기생육에는 문제가 없었다. 또한 토양에서 쉽게 유실되어 추비로 주로 공급하는 칼리 함량이 물로타리 처리에서 생육 중기까지 지속적으로 증가되는 결과를 보여 보릿짚 부숙에 의한 칼리 공급효과가 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 정지 방법별 쌀수량은 보릿짚과 규산질비료 시용에 의한 도복경감 등의 효과로 인해 자탈형콤바인 활용 보릿짚 처리구는 관행(소각) 대비 5∼19% 증수, 보통형콤바인 활용 보릿짚 처리구는 14∼20% 증수 효과를 나타내었다. 따라서 자탈형콤바인(산물형)으로 보리 수확 시에는 보릿짚을 10∼15cm로 자른 후 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 1회를, 보통형콤바인(범용)으로 수확 시에는 보릿짚을 잘게 자르고 마른로타리 1회+물로타리 1회 또는 물로타리 2회 처리가 효과적인 것으로 사료된다.

2001년부터 2021년까지 전남지역 밭토양 화학성 변동특성

김현지(Hyeonji Kim),김선국(Sunkook Kim),김성우(Sungwoo Kim),이소연(Soyeon Lee),곽경진(Kyungjin Kwak),이진우(Jinwoo Lee) 한국토양비료학회 2021 한국토양비료학회 학술발표회 초록집 Vol.2021 No.11

농산물 안전성에 대한 관심도가 높아짐에 따라 농경지 보전에 대한 필요성 또한 중요한 요소로 인식되고 있다. 특히 농경지 양분의 과다집적 및 불균형 토양개량, 비료사용대책 및 친환경농업 정책수립을 위하여 농경지 토양비옥도 및 오염도조사를 실시하고 있다. 전남지역 밭토양 화학성 변동량은 2001년부터 4년 주기로 2021년까지 250지점을 정점으로 하여 조사하였다. 토양 pH는 2001년 5.9에서 2021년 6.6으로 매년 증가 추세이고, 토양 전기전도도는 2001년 0.25 ds m<SUP>-1</SUP>에서 2017년 1.27ds m<SUP>-1</SUP>로 매년 증가하다 2021년에는 0.85 ds m<SUP>-1</SUP>로 감소되었다. 유기물 함량은 최초 조사 시 24 g kg<SUP>-1</SUP>에서 연차별 지속적으로 증가하여 2013년에는 30 g kg<SUP>-1</SUP>까지 증가하다 2017년 이후 감소추세이다. 유효인산은 최초 조사시기부터 권장기준보다 높은 특성을 보였으며, 2001년 587 mg kg<SUP>-1</SUP> 에서 차츰 낮아지다 2017년 605 mg kg<SUP>-1</SUP>, 2021년에는 635 mg kg<SUP>-1</SUP>로 유의적인 증가를 나타냈다. 교환성칼륨 함량은 2001년 1.06 cmol<SUB>c</SUB> kg<SUP>-1</SUP>에서 2013년 0.66 cmol<SUB>c</SUB> kg<SUP>-1</SUP> 까지 낮아지다 2017년 이후 다시 증가하여 2021년에는 1.38 cmol<SUB>c</SUB> kg<SUP>-1</SUP>로 높아져 밭토양 교환성칼륨 적정수준보다 1.4배 높았다. 교환성칼슘 함량도 연차적으로 지속증가 추세로 2021년에는 적정범위보다 1.4배 초과되었다. 교환성양이온 함량은 토양산도와 정의 상관관계가 있는데 2021년 토양산도에 영향을 주었을 것으로 사료되며, 이러한 염류의 증가는 토양 양분 불균형을 초래하므로 토양검정에 의한 합리적인 시비관리가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. 토양중금속 Cd는 평균 0.32mg/kg, Cr은 27.1 mg/kg, As는 7.7 mg/kg 수준으로 전반적으로 양호한 것으로 조사되었다.