Analysis of Clinical and Laboratory Profiles of Patients Hospitalized with Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome in Southwestern South Korea.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is caused by hantaviruses. Data of 34 patients with HFRS hospitalized at Chosun University Hospital, South Korea, between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) targeting the L segment of hantavirus and sequencing were used for diagnosis.

Risk factors of thromboembolic events in patients with scrub typhus.

Background: Thromboembolic events are a well-recognized cause of in-hospital deaths of patients with infectious diseases. However, thromboembolic events in patients with scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi have rarely been reported. This study aimed to assess risk factors associated with thromboembolic events in patients with scrub typhus.

Endometrial E-cadherin and N-cadherin Expression during the Mid-Secretory Phase of Women with Ovarian Endometrioma or Uterine Fibroids.

Background: Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are benign conditions frequently linked to subfertility/infertility. Recent research has highlighted the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal transition between embryonic and endometrial cells in the context of embryo implantation. Additionally, the adverse endometrial environment during implantation has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to infertility in endometriosis.

Proteomic Heterogeneity of the Extracellular Matrix Identifies Histologic Subtype-Specific Fibroblast in Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly heterogeneous disease regarding histologic features, genotypes, and molecular phenotypes. Here, we investigate extracellular matrix (ECM)-centric analysis, examining its association with histologic subtypes and patient prognosis in human GC. We performed quantitative proteomic analysis of decellularized GC tissues that characterizes tumorous ECM, highlighting proteomic heterogeneity in ECM components.

Comparable Efficacy of Lopinavir/Ritonavir and Remdesivir in Reducing Viral Load and Shedding Duration in Patients with COVID-19.

The spread of COVID-19 has significantly increased research on antiviral drugs and measures such as case isolation and contact tracing. This study compared the effects of lopinavir/ritonavir and remdesivir on COVID-19 patients with a control group receiving no antiviral drugs. Patients confirmed to have a SARS-CoV-2 infection via real-time RT-PCR were divided into three groups: lopinavir/ritonavir, remdesivir, and control.

Clinical outcomes of ablation of gastric dysplasia with argon plasma coagulation.

Background: Although several small cohort studies have shown the utility of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of gastric dysplasia, its clinical significance has not been established. This study aims to assess the efficacy of APC as a first line treatment for gastric dysplasia, and identify risk factors for residual dysplasia.

Methods: A total of 179 cases of gastric dysplasia were treated with APC and have been followed-up with upper endoscopy within 1 year.

SARS-CoV-2 antigenemia and RNAemia in association with disease severity in patients with COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, causes a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild upper to severe lower respiratory tract infections. However, the dynamics of nucleocapsid (N) protein antigenemia and RNAemia are not fully understood. We conducted a cohort study involving 117 patients with clinically confirmed COVID-19, focusing on the kinetics of antigenemia and RNAemia and their association with various clinical characteristics.

Risk Assessment of Metachronous Gastric Neoplasm after Endoscopic Resection for Early Gastric Cancer According to Age at Eradication.

Background/aims: eradication can reduce the incidence of metachronous gastric neoplasm (MGN) after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC). This study evaluated the risk of developing MGN after ESD for EGC based on age at eradication.

Methods: Data of patients who underwent curative ESD for EGC with infection between 2005 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.

Surface reconstructed Fe@C for enhanced Fenton-like catalysis: Sustainable ciprofloxacin degradation and toxicity reduction.

The Fe-based catalysts typically undergo severe problems such as deactivation and Fe sludge emission during the peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, which commonly leads to poor operation and secondary pollution. Herein, an S-doped Fe-based catalyst with a core-shell structure (Fe@C, T = 1000°C) was synthesized, which can solve the above issues via the dynamic surface evolution during the reaction process. Specifically, the Fe on the surface of Fe@C could be consumed rapidly, leaving numerous pores; the FeC from the core would subsequently migrate to the surface of Fe@C, replenishing the consumed active Fe species.

[Multi-Detector CT Findings of Typical and Atypical Appendicitis: A Pictorial Essay].

Multi-detector CT (MDCT) is a highly accurate diagnostic tool that is commonly used to evaluate appendicitis and its complications. The diagnosis of appendicitis based on MDCT findings can be difficult and challenging when the observed findings are inconsistent with the typical features. Atypical appendicitis includes a wide spectrum of features, such as variable positions of the appendix and cecum, complications, and unusual pathological findings of secondary appendicitis that mimic or induce appendicitis.

Development of a new universal adhesive containing CPNE7-derived peptide and its potential role in reducing postoperative sensitivity.

Post-operative sensitivity (POS) is the most common clinical dental complaint after tooth preparation and resin-based composite restoration. In our previous study, copine 7 (CPNE7) and CPNE7-derived peptide (CPNE7-DP) induced in vitro odontoblast differentiation and in vivo dentin formation. Here, we incorporated CPNE7-DP into All-Bond Universal (ABU) adhesive, developing ABU/CPNE7-DP.

Seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome using specimens from the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an acute febrile disease caused by bites from ticks infected with the SFTS virus. In Korea, SFTS patients are observed nationwide, including Jeju Island, but there are currently no data regarding the national prevalence of SFTS, including that of residents of 16 cities and provinces. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of SFTS in Korea.

Multifaceted Excited State Dynamics of Coumarin Dyes Anchored on AlO Film.

The co-facially stacked dyes on semiconductor films serve as an alternative model to elucidate the photo-driven exciton dynamics occurring in a molecular assembly. In this study, we report the unique emission properties of coumarin dye adsorbed on the surface of the semiconductor film, measured by ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence. When a rigid coumarin derivative, 7-hydroxycoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (OHCCA), is anchored on the AlO film, the dye manifests dual emissions from the two lowest excited states.

Risk assessment of metachronous gastric cancer development using OLGA and OLGIM systems after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: a long-term follow-up study.

Background: Metachronous gastric cancer (MGC) may develop in patients undergoing curative endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer. As gastritis and intestinal metaplasia are notable precursors to gastric cancer, we assessed MGC risk using the Operative Link on Gastritis Assessment (OLGA) and Operative Link on Gastric Intestinal Metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) systems.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study classified the OLGA and OLGIM stages for 916 patients who had undergone endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer between 2005 and 2015.

Emerging hantavirus infection in wild rodents captured in suburbs of Gwangju Metropolitan City, South Korea.

Background: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by hantaviruses is a frequently reported acute hemorrhagic fever in South Korea. These viruses are transmitted by various rodent species such as Apodemus agrarius.

Methodology/principal Findings: To investigate hantavirus infection and seroprevalence in rodents, wild rodents were captured from two districts in the suburbs of Gwangju Metropolitan City from January 2016 to December 2018.

Development of a Scoring System to Differentiate Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome from Scrub Typhus.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and scrub typhus are disorders with similar clinical features; therefore, differentiating between them is difficult. We retrospectively collected data from 183 SFTS and 178 scrub typhus patients and validated an existing scoring system to develop a more sensitive, specific, and objective scoring system. We first applied the scoring systems proposed by Kim et al.

Analysis of CCR2 splice variant expression patterns and functional properties.

Background: C-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), the main receptor for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), is expressed on immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, and activated T cells, and mediates cell migration toward MCP-1 in inflammation-related diseases. The CCR2 gene encodes two isoforms: CCR2A and CCR2B. The CCR2B open reading frame is localized in a single exon, similar to other chemokine receptors, and CCR2A and CCR2B feature different amino acid sequences in their C-terminal intracellular loops due to alternative splicing.

Effective Drugs Against Severe Fever With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus in an Model.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). This syndrome is endemic in China, South Korea, and Japan, with a fatality rate of approximately 20-30%. Although the World Health Organization has listed SFTS as a disease that requires urgent steps for the development of its treatment, no treatments are available.

Risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA environmental contamination in rooms of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The risk factors of environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 are largely unknown. We analyzed 1,320 environmental samples obtained from COVID-19 patients over 1 year. The risk factors for contamination of COVID-19 patients' surrounding environment were higher viral load in the respiratory tract and shorter duration from symptom onset to sample collection.

Viable Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Isolates Exhibit Higher Correlation With Rapid Antigen Assays Than Subgenomic RNA or Genomic RNA.

Rapid identification and effective isolation are crucial for curbing the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To meet this requirement, antigen-detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) are essential. Between February 2020 and August 2020 we performed a cohort study of patients with confirmed COVID-19.

Usefulness of ELISA Using Total Antibody against Plant-Expressed Recombinant Nucleocapsid Protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of a serological assay using the nucleocapsid protein developed for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection and evaluated its performance using three commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), namely, Standard E 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) total antibody (Ab) ELISA (SD Biosensor), and EDI novel coronavirus COVID-19 IgG and IgM ELISA. A recombinant nucleocapsid protein (rNP) was expressed from plants and Escherichia coli for the detection of serum total Ab. We prospectively collected 141 serum samples from 32 patients with reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 and determined the sensitivity and dynamics of their total Ab response.