Association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and biomarkers indicative of inflammation and oxidative stress: a cross-sectional study using KoGES-HEXA data.

Background: Air pollution-induced systemic inflammation and oxidative stress are hypothesized to be the major biological mechanisms underlying pathological outcomes. We examined the association between short-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in 2199 general middle-aged Korean population residing in metropolitan areas.

Methods: Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and urinary levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured.

Long-Term Effects of Ambient Particulate and Gaseous Pollutants on Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study Using KoGES-HEXA Data.

Ambient air pollutants reportedly increase inflammatory responses associated with multiple chronic diseases. We investigated the effects of long-term exposure to ambient air pollution on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) using data from 60,581 participants enrolled in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees Study between 2012 and 2017. Community Multiscale Air Quality System with surface data assimilation was used to estimate the participants' exposure to criteria air pollutants based on geocoded residential addresses.

Integrated dataset of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study cohort with estimated air pollution data.

Public concern about the adverse health effects of air pollution has grown rapidly in Korea, and there has been increasing demand for research on ways to minimize the health effects of air pollution. Integrating large epidemiological data and air pollution exposure levels can provide a data infrastructure for studying ambient air pollution and its health effects. The Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES), a large population-based study, has been used in many epidemiological studies of chronic diseases.

Effect of Short- to Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter on Cognitive Function in a Cohort of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: KoGES.

Exposure to ambient air pollution and its threat to human health is a global concern, especially in the elderly population. Therefore, more in-depth studies are required to understand the extent of the harmful effects of particulate matter (PM) based on duration and levels of exposure. An investigation was conducted to determine the association between short- (1-14 days), medium- (1, 3, and 6 months), and long-term (1, 2, and 3 years) exposure to air pollutants (PM and PM) and cognitive function among Koreans (4175 participants, mean age 67.

Lower number of modifiable risk factors was associated with reduced atrial fibrillation incidence in an 18-year prospective cohort study.

Prevention strategies for atrial fibrillation (AF) are lacking. This study aimed to identify modifiable risk factors (MRFs) and estimate their impact on AF in the midlife general population. We assessed 9049 participants who were free of prevalent AF at baseline from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Genome-wide gene and serum ferritin interaction in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults aged 40 years or older.

Background And Aims: Elevated serum ferritin is associated with incident Type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the interactions between serum ferritin and genetic factors which may improve understanding underlying mechanism in the development of T2D are still unclear. We determined the gene-ferritin interactions on the development of T2D by genome-wide gene-ferritin interaction analyses.

Methods And Results: A total of 3405 participants from two prospective cohorts of community living residents were included, and the median follow-time was 3.

Application of nano-graphene oxide as nontoxic disinfectant against alpha and betacoronaviruses.

New viruses are continuously emerging and recently there have been many great concerns on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Nanographene oxide (nanoGO) has received much attention and is widely investigated to be utilised in therapy for infectious diseases by viruses. Thus, antiviral activity of nanoGO was evaluated using the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and SARS-CoV-2, which are all Alpha- and Beta-coronavirus.

The Korea Biobank Array: Design and Identification of Coding Variants Associated with Blood Biochemical Traits.

We introduce the design and implementation of a new array, the Korea Biobank Array (referred to as KoreanChip), optimized for the Korean population and demonstrate findings from GWAS of blood biochemical traits. KoreanChip comprised >833,000 markers including >247,000 rare-frequency or functional variants estimated from >2,500 sequencing data in Koreans. Of the 833 K markers, 208 K functional markers were directly genotyped.

Genetic Characteristics and Immunogenicity of Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Isolate from Pig in Korea.

A pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus strain was isolated from a pig farm in Korea in December 2009. The strain was propagated in and isolated from both the Madin-Darby canine kidney cell line and embryonated eggs. The partial and complete sequences of the strain were identical to those of A/California/04/2009, with >99% sequence similarity in the HA, NA, M, NS, NP, PA, PB1, and PB2 genes.

A novel canine influenza H3N2 virus isolated from cats in an animal shelter.

The interspecies transmission of avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) to dogs was first reported in 2007. The present study characterized a novel CIV H3N2 isolated from cats in an animal shelter. A comparative analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the A/Canine/Korea/CY009/2010(H3N2) (CY009) and A/Feline/Korea/FY028/2010 (H3N2) (FY028) strains isolated from dogs and cats, respectively, in the animal shelter identified point mutations in 18 amino acid positions within eight viral genes.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Canine-Origin H3N2 Feline Influenza Virus Isolated from Domestic Cats in South Korea.

A canine-origin Korean H3N2 feline influenza virus (FIV), A/feline/Korea/01/2010 (H3N2), was isolated in 2010 from a dead cat with severe respiratory disease. Here, we report the first complete genome sequence of this virus, containing 3' and 5' noncoding regions, which will help elucidate the molecular basis of the pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of FIV.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) field isolates in Korea.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has caused devastating enteric disease in Korean pig farms since its first identification in 1992 in Korea. In the present study, the molecular epidemiology, genetic diversity, and phylogenetic relationship of Korean PEDV field isolates to other reference strains were analyzed using the complete E gene. Genetic analysis showed that each PEDV group had several unique characteristics, which indicated that a specific group PEDVs may be differentiated from another group PEDVs.

Sublingual administration of bacteria-expressed influenza virus hemagglutinin 1 (HA1) induces protection against infection with 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.

Influenza viruses are respiratory pathogens that continue to pose a significantly high risk of morbidity and mortality of humans worldwide. Vaccination is one of the most effective strategies for minimizing damages by influenza outbreaks. In addition, rapid development and production of efficient vaccine with convenient administration is required in case of influenza pandemic.

Antiviral activity of the plant extracts from Thuja orientalis, Aster spathulifolius, and Pinus thunbergii against influenza virus A/PR/8/34.

Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality in humans through epidemics or pandemics. Currently, two classes of anti-influenza virus drugs, M2 ion-channel inhibitors (amantadin and rimantadine) and neuraminidase inhibitors (oseltamivir and zanamivir), have been used for the treatment of the influenza virus infection. Since the resistance to these drugs has been reported, the development of a new antiviral agent is necessary.

Complete genome sequence of a mammalian species-infectious and -pathogenic H6N5 avian influenza virus without evidence of adaptation.

An H6N5 avian influenza virus (AIV) strain, designated A/aquatic bird/Korea/CN5/2009 (H6N5), was isolated from fecal swabs of aquatic birds in 2009, and surprisingly, it showed infectivity and pathogenicity in mammalian species without evidence of adaptation. In this study, we report the first complete genome sequence containing 3' and 5' noncoding regions (NCRs) of a mammalian species-infectious and pathogenic H6N5 AIV, which will help provide important insights into the molecular basis of pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of AIV.

Simultaneous detection of canine respiratory disease associated viruses by a multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay.

A multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR) assay was developed for the simultaneous detection of canine distemper virus (CDV), canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) and canine influenza virus (CIV). These viral pathogens are all causative agents of canine infectious respiratory disease (CIRD). The sensitivity and specificity of the mRT-PCR were determined by comparing it to a rapid antigen test (RAT) or immuno-chromatography test kit and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the detection of CDV, CRCoV and CIV antigens present in 100 clinical samples (nasal swabs and whole blood samples) from 50 dogs with respiratory disease symptoms.

Complete genome analysis of porcine enterovirus B isolated in Korea.

The complete genome sequence of porcine enterovirus B (PEV-B) from a Korean isolate was analyzed. The genome size was 7,393 bp. Previously, full genome sequences of PEV-B had been reported from the United Kingdom, Hungary, and China.

Complete genome sequence of an avian-origin H3N2 canine influenza virus isolated from dogs in South Korea.

An avian-origin Korean H3N2 canine influenza virus (CIV) strain, designated A/canine/Korea/01/2007 (H3N2), was isolated from nasal swabs of pet dogs exhibiting severe respiratory syndrome in 2007. In the present study, we report the first complete genome sequence containing 3' and 5' noncoding regions (NCRs) of H3N2 CIV, which will provide important insights into the molecular basis of pathogenesis, transmission, and evolution of CIV.

Seroprevalence of subtype H3 influenza A virus in South Korean cats.

To investigate the potential transmission of subtype H3 influenza virus to cats, a serological survey was carried out in South Korea. Serum samples (n=1027) were obtained from 809 pet cats and 218 domesticated cats living in urban colonies (D-cats) from 2008 to 2010, and tested using an influenza anti-nucleoprotein (NP)-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test, which was recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health. Anti-influenza virus antibodies were detected in 3.

Complete genome sequences of a Korean virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and its attenuated counterpart.

A virulent porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strain, DR13, was obtained from suckling pigs suspected of having porcine epidemic diarrhea in 1999 in Korea, and its attenuated counterpart was derived from virulent strain DR13 by serial propagation in Vero cells. This report describes the first complete genome sequences of virulent PEDV and its attenuated counterpart, which will provide important insights into the molecular basis of the attenuation of PEDV.

Kobuvirus in South Korean black goats.

Kobuviruses have been detected in humans and several animal species, including cattle, swine, sheep, canines, mice, and probably bats. While investigating the possibility of Kobuviruses infecting additional animal host species, we detected kobuvirus in three fecal samples from domestic Korean black goats. In a maximum parsimony tree and a Bayesian tree, the 08KG680 strain fell within the bovine kobuvirus lineage, but the 09KG172 and 10KG056 strains did not fall within any of the known animal kobuvirus lineages.

Identification of a novel single-stranded, circular DNA virus from bovine stool.

We report the identification of a novel single-stranded, circular DNA virus isolated from bovine stool. The virus, named bovine stool-associated circular DNA virus (BoSCV), has a genome comprising 2600 bases of circular ssDNA, with two putative ORFs encoding replicase and capsid proteins, arranged inversely. The stem-loop structure was located between the 3' ends of the two putative ORFs, as in chimpanzee stool-associated circular virus (ChimpSCV) and unlike other circular DNA viruses, including members of the families Circoviridae, Nanoviridae and Geminiviridae.

The assessment of efficacy of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus inactivated vaccine based on the viral quantity and inactivation methods.

Background: There have been many efforts to develop efficient vaccines for the control of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Although inactivated PRRSV vaccines are preferred for their safety, they are weak at inducing humoral immune responses and controlling field PRRSV infection, especially when heterologous viruses are involved.

Results: In all groups, the sample to positive (S/P) ratio of IDEXX ELISA and the virus neutralization (VN) titer remained negative until challenge.

Experimental infection of a newly emerging Korean type I porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus isolate in colostrum-deprived pigs.

Background: Recently, new emergence of type I PRRSV has been reported in Korea by several research groups. Although specific subgroups of type I PRRSVs in Korea were observed in the previous phylogenetic analysis, there is a lack of information about the virulence of type I PRRSV recently isolated in Korea.

Methods: One type I PRRSV isolate (G2446, 3 times passaged in primarily cultured pulmonary macrophages) in Korea was experimentally infected in colostrum-deprived pigs.