COVID-19 infection among people with disabilities in 2021 prior to the Omicron-dominant period in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional study.

Background: This study investigated the characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among individuals with disabilities on a nationwide scale in the Republic of Korea, as limited research has examined this population.

Methods: Between January 1 and November 30, 2021, a total of 5,687 confirmed COVID-19 cases among individuals with disabilities were reported through the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's COVID-19 web reporting system. Follow-up continued until December 24, and demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics were analyzed.

Application of the Time Derivative (TD) Method for Early Alert of Influenza Epidemics.

Background: In order to minimize the spread of seasonal influenza epidemic to communities worldwide, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has issued an influenza epidemic alert using the influenza epidemic threshold formula based on the results of the influenza-like illness (ILI) rate. However, unusual changes have occurred in the pattern of respiratory infectious diseases, including seasonal influenza, after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, the importance of detecting the onset of an epidemic earlier than the existing epidemic alert system is increasing.

Upregulation of RSPO2-GPR48/LGR4 signaling in papillary thyroid carcinoma contributes to tumor progression.

The signaling pathway involving the R-spondins and its cognate receptor, GPR48/LGR4, is crucial in development and carcinogenesis. However, the functional implications of the R-spondin-GPR48/LGR4 pathway in thyroid remain to be identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of R-spondin-GPR48/LGR4 signaling in papillary thyroid carcinomas.