Analysis of Changes in Viral Load and Inflammatory Cytokines, as Well as the Occurrence of Secondary Infections, in SFTS Patients Treated with Specific Treatments: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile illness caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). We conducted this study to propose a scientific evidence-based treatment that can improve prognosis through changes in viral load and inflammatory cytokines according to the specific treatment of SFTS patients. This prospective and observational study was conducted at 14 tertiary referral hospitals, which are located in SFTS endemic areas in Korea, from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2020.

Persistence of in Patients with Bacteremia: Incidence, Clinical and Microbiologic Characters, and Outcomes.

The risk factors and outcomes associated with persistent bacteremia are not well-defined. This retrospective cohort study analyzed 214 cases of bacteremia diagnosed between 2005 and 2022 at two university hospitals, focusing on the clinical and microbiologic characteristics and outcomes of persistent bacteremia. Persistent bacteremia, defined as the detection of for ≥5 days after the initial blood culture, occurred in 25.

Aging with HIV: The Burden of Comorbidities, Polypharmacy, and Drug Interactions in Korean People Living with HIV Aged ≥50 Years.

Background: The life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) has significantly improved with advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, aging PLWH face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), polypharmacy, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), which pose challenges in their management. This study investigates the prevalence of NCDs, polypharmacy, and DDIs among PLWH aged ≥50 years in Korea and their impact on quality of life (QOL).

Comparison of clinical characteristics and outcomes in candidaemia patients with and without COVID-19: a multicentre retrospective study.

Background: Invasive fungal infections have been reported as complications with significant mortality and morbidity in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidaemia patients with COVID-19 and to investigate the association between COVID-19 and mortality in candidaemia patients.

Methods: This retrospective study included candidaemia patients aged 18 years or older admitted to four university-affiliated tertiary hospitals in South Korea between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.

Serotype distribution and clinical characteristics of Group B Streptococcus Bacteremia in nonpregnant adults: a 15-Year Multicenter Study in Korea.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteremia in nonpregnant adults is of increasing concern, particularly among the elderly in underlying conditions. This study analyzed the serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical characteristics of GBS bacteremia in nonpregnant adults over a 15-year period in two tertiary hospitals in Korea.

Methods: From 2007 to 2021, patients aged ≥ 19 years with GBS bacteremia were identified via retrospective electronic medical record review.

Safeguarding the brain from oxidative damage.

Oxidative stress imposes a substantial cellular burden on the brain and contributes to diverse neurodegenerative diseases. Various antioxidant signaling pathways have been implicated in oxidative stress and have a protective effect on brain cells by increasing the release of numerous enzymes and through anti-inflammatory responses to oxidative damage caused by abnormal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although many molecules evaluated as antioxidants have shown therapeutic potentials in preclinical studies, the results of clinical trials have been less than satisfactory.

Synergistic N/F Dual-Doped MoC/C Catalyst Synthesized via Liquid Phase Plasma for Sustainable Ammonia Production.

NH is a versatile solution for the storage and distribution of sustainable energy, offering high energy density and promising applications as a renewable hydrogen carrier. However, electrochemical NH synthesis under ambient conditions remains challenging, such as low selectivity and efficiency, owing to the inertness of N≡N and competing reactions. In this study, a catalyst (MoC/NFC) comprising molybdenum carbide evenly dispersed on carbon doped with N and F heteroatoms was successfully synthesized using liquid-phase plasma.

Pushing the Limits of Photoconductivity via Hot Electrons in Deep Trap States in Plasmonic Architectures.

Although extensive research on the mechanisms of photoconductivity enhancement in plasmonic Schottky structures has been conducted, the photoconductive interplay between hot electrons and trapping states remains elusive. In this study, we explored the photoconductive relationship between plasmonic hot-carriers and defect sites present in plasmonic architectures consisting of N-face n-GaN and Au nanoprisms. Our experimental results clearly verified that the plasmonic hot-electrons generated by interband transitions preferentially occupied deep trap levels in n-GaN, thereby considerably enhancing the photoconductivity through the combination of photogating and photovoltaic effects.

The microbiology of periprosthetic joint infections as revealed by sonicate cultures in Korea: Routine use of fungal and mycobacterial cultures is necessary?

Background: Although sonication is a valuable diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), it is not commonly utilized. We analyzed sonicate and intraoperative tissue culture results obtained from three hospitals to define the microbial etiology of PJIs in Korea. Furthermore, we investigated necessity of conducting regular fungal and mycobacterial cultures.

The Combined Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Smoking on Cancer Risk by Exposure Level: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Alcohol consumption is a major risk factor for cancer, and when combined with smoking, the risk increases. Nevertheless, few studies have comprehensively evaluated the combined effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on the risk of various cancer types. Therefore, to assess these effects, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hospital water environment and antibiotic use: key factors in a nosocomial outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Serratia marcescens.

Background: The healthcare water environment is a potential reservoir of carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs).

Aim: To report the role of the water environment as a reservoir and the infection control measures applied to suppress a prolonged outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Serratia marcescens (KPC-SM) in two intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: The outbreak occurred in the ICUs of a tertiary hospital from October 2020 to July 2021.

Inhibiting Nav1.7 channels in pulpitis: An in vivo study on neuronal hyperexcitability.

Pulpitis constitutes a significant challenge in clinical management due to its impact on peripheral nerve tissue and the persistence of chronic pain. Despite its clinical importance, the correlation between neuronal activity and the expression of voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.

Incidence of Infections in Republic of Korea: A Prospective Study With Active Surveillance vs. National Data From Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service.

Background: Since the emergence of hypervirulent strains of , the incidence of infections (CDI) has increased significantly.

Methods: To assess the incidence of CDI in Korea, we conducted a prospective multicentre observational study from October 2020 to October 2021. Additionally, we calculated the incidence of CDI from mass data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) from 2008 to 2020.

Catalytic activity of CuO nanoparticles supported on cellulose beads prepared by emulsion-gelation using cellulose/LiBr solution and vegetable oil.

Nanocatalysts tend to aggregate and are difficult to recycle, limiting their practical applications. In this study, an environmentally friendly method was developed to produce cellulose beads for use as supporting materials for Cu-based nanocatalysts. Cellulose beads were synthesized from a water-in-oil emulsion using cellulose dissolved in an LiBr solution as the water phase and vegetable oil as the oil phase.

Comparative Study on the Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Patients Receiving Adjuvant and Palliative Chemotherapy.

This study was conducted to investigate potential differences in vaccine efficacy between patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy and receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, the study proved the influence of vaccination timing on vaccine efficacy during active chemotherapy. Anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG binding antibody assays and surrogate neutralizing antibody assays were performed after BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccination in 45 solid cancer patients (23 adjuvant and 22 palliative chemotherapy) and in 24 healthy controls before vaccination (baseline), at every two to four weeks after the first (post-dose 1) and the second vaccination (post-dose 2).

Prioritization of Injury Prevention and Management Programs and Research and Development (R&D) Projects: Survey Using the Delphi Technique and Analytic Hierarchy Process.

We prioritized injury prevention and management programs, and research and development (R&D) projects using the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for national plan. We summarized 21 programs and 31 R&D projects based on opinions collected in the opinion survey and brainstorming. Expert panel evaluated program and project relevance in the two Delphi rounds to make consensus.

Cancer risk based on alcohol consumption levels: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Alcohol consumption is a well-established risk factor for cancer. Despite extensive research into the relationship between alcohol consumption and cancer risk, the effect of light alcohol consumption on cancer risk remains a topic of debate. To contribute to this discourse, we conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Coinfection With Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome and Scrub Typhus in Korea.

Background: Scrub typhus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) are the 2 most common tick-borne infectious diseases in Korea. Every year, an increasing number of cases are reported, which is a public health concern. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of SFTS-scrub typhus coinfection in patients with SFTS.

Multiscale Porous Carbon Materials by In Situ Growth of Metal-Organic Framework in the Micro-Channel of Delignified Wood for High-Performance Water Purification.

Porous carbon materials are suitable as highly efficient adsorbents for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater. In this study, we developed multiscale porous and heteroatom (O, N)-doped activated carbon aerogels (CAs) based on mesoporous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals and wood using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation, in situ synthesis, and carbonization/activation. The surface carboxyl groups in a TEMPO-oxidized wood (TW) can provide considerably large nucleation sites for ZIF-8.

Association between lone work and self-rated health status: using the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey.

Background: Lone workers are generally defined as individuals who work alone without supervision, including self-employed people. While lone workers are considered a vulnerable group in some countries, there is a lack of research on their health status in domestic studies. Globally, the number of lone workers has been increasing, and this trend has been further accelerated since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic with the rise of remote work.