Amuvatinib Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the Entry Step of the Viral Life Cycle.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 propagation is mediated by the protein interaction between viral proteins and host cells. Tyrosine kinase has been implicated in viral replication, and hence, it has become a target for developing antiviral drugs.

Experimental Infection and Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variants among Beagle Dogs.

We assessed susceptibility of dogs to SARS-COV-2 Delta and Omicron variants by experimentally inoculating beagle dogs. Moreover, we investigated transmissibility of the variants from infected to naive dogs. The dogs were susceptible to infection without clinical signs and transmitted both strains to other dogs through direct contact.

Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV in Beagle Dogs.

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in unprecedented challenges to healthcare worldwide. In particular, the anthroponotic transmission of human coronaviruses has become a common concern among pet owners. Here, we experimentally inoculated beagle dogs with SARS-CoV-2 or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV) to compare their susceptibility to and the pathogenicity of these viruses.

Structural and functional characterization of a monoclonal antibody blocking TIGIT.

TIGIT is an immune checkpoint receptor that is expressed on subsets of activated T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Several ligands for TIGIT, including poliovirus receptor (PVR), are expressed on cancer cells and mediate inhibitory signaling to suppress antitumor activities of the immune cells. Many studies support that the TIGIT signaling is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.

Asunaprevir, a Potent Hepatitis C Virus Protease Inhibitor, Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Propagation.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has become a global health concern. Various SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and are being used for vaccination worldwide. However, no therapeutic agents against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been developed so far; therefore, new therapeutic agents are urgently needed.

Determining the efficacy of 27 commercially available disinfectants against human noroviruses.

Background: Recently, monoclonal-antibody-conjugated immunomagnetic separation (IMS) procedure combined with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) has been used for quantifying non-cultivated human noroviruses (HuNoVs).

Methods: We examined the efficacy of 27 commercially available disinfectants and a prototype against GII.4 strain HuNoV through the IMS/qRT-PCR assay.

Pathogenicity of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in mice regulated in type I interferon signaling: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia and type I interferon.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging zoonotic disease, which causes high fever, thrombocytopenia, and death in humans and animals in East Asian countries. The pathogenicity of SFTS virus (SFTSV) remains unclear. We intraperitoneally infected three groups of mice: wild-type (WT), mice treated with blocking anti-type I interferon (IFN)-α receptor antibody (IFNAR Ab), and IFNAR knockout (IFNAR) mice, with four doses of SFTSV (KH1, 5 × 10 to 5 × 10 FAID).

Development of a real-time loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the detection of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is being reported annually in South Korea since its first detection there in 2010. The causal agent is a negative-strand RNA virus 80-100 nm in diameter. It causes fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and neural symptoms.

Quality by Design characterization of the perfusion culture process for recombinant FVIII.

A Quality by Design (QbD) concept was applied to characterize a cell culture process for production of the recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII). We characterized the production bioreactor process and defined the design space by applying risk assessment to determine potential critical process parameters (CPPs) impacting critical quality attributes (CQAs). Characterization studies were subsequently performed using a qualified scaled-down model (SDM) and a multi-factorial design of experiment (DOE) approach to determine both the individual and combined impacts of the potential CPPs on CQAs.

Detection of waterborne norovirus genogroup I strains using an improved real time RT-PCR assay.

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the major global source of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks. To detect NoVs, real-time reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays have been widely employed since the first decade of the 21 century. We developed a redesigned probe, JJV1PM, for RT-qPCR assay detection of NoV genogroup (G) I strains.

Complete genome sequencing of a recombinant strain between human astrovirus antigen types 2 and 8 isolated from South Korea.

Human astroviruses (HAstVs) occur worldwide and are known to the causative agents of diarrhea in infants and elderly patients with immune dysfunction. This study aimed to identify recombinant HAstV strains and characterize rare genotypes. The full-length genome of a recombinant HAstV strain isolated from the stool sample of a patient with acute gastroenteritis from South Korea was amplified using three pairs of previously designed primers and seven newly designed primers.

Emergence of Norovirus GII.4 variants in acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in South Korea between 2006 and 2013.

Background: New emerging strains of noroviruses (NoVs) often increase acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks worldwide.

Objective: We analyzed the epidemiological features and genotypic patterns of NoVs in AGE outbreaks.

Study Design: To elucidate the public health impact of NoVs during AGE outbreaks in South Korea, a molecular and epidemiological investigation was performed with 318 AGE outbreaks reported from the Gyeonggi province of South Korea during the period from 2006 to 2013.

Development of enhanced primer sets for detection of norovirus.

Norovirus (NV) is a major viral pathogen that causes nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis and outbreaks of food-borne disease. The genotype of NV most frequently responsible for NV outbreaks is GII.4, which accounts for 60-80% of cases.

Complete nucleotide sequence analysis of the norovirus GII.4 Sydney variant in South Korea.

Norovirus is the primary cause of acute gastroenteritis in individuals of all ages. In Australia, a new strain of norovirus (GII.4) was identified in March 2012, and this strain has spread rapidly around the world.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome With Cryptococcal Meningitis in HIV Patient.

Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte imbalances in HIV patients. The differential diagnosis may include hypovolemic hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), and adrenal insufficiency. Here, we describe a case of hyponatremia secondary to cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) in an HIV patient with cryptococcal meningitis.

Molecular epidemiology of norovirus in South Korea.

Norovirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis and a common cause of foodborne and waterborne outbreaks. Norovirus outbreaks are responsible for economic losses, most notably to the public health and food industry field. Norovirus has characteristics such as low infectious dose, prolonged shedding period, strong stability, great diversity, and frequent genome mutations.

Ileal Neobladder With Mucous Plugs as a Cause of Obstructive Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Emergent Hemodialysis.

Ileal neobladder is the preferred technique in the management of urinary diversion postradical cystectomy for bladder malignancy. The common complications associated with this procedure are atrophied kidney, chronic pyelonephritis, decreased renal function, ureteroileal or urethral anastomotic site stricture, urinary tract stones, incontinence, and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Mucous plugs are also seen in 2%-3% patients.

Asymptomatic Cecal Perforation in a Renal Transplant Recipient After Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate Administration.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is a medication commonly used for the treatment of hyperkalemia. There have been many cases of colonic necrosis and perforation associated with administration of SPS. There are very few such cases reported in renal transplant patients.

Molecular epidemiology of norovirus GII.4 variants in children under 5 years with sporadic acute gastroenteritis in South Korea during 2006-2013.

Background: The global emergence of norovirus (NoV) GII.4 variants has raised public concerns in the world including South Korea since 1996.

Objective: We analyzed seasonality and genotypic pattern for sporadic cases by norovirus GII-4 variants.

Stroke in a Young Woman as a Presenting Manifestation of Membranous Nephropathy.

Stroke is one of the most severe complications of nephrotic syndrome (NS), only a few cases have been reported in previous literature. Some of those cases are not clear about whether the stroke was purely caused by NS because they also had other risk factors for stroke, such as old age, hypertension. A recent study showed that serum albumin less than 2.

Genetic analysis of the capsid region of norovirus GII.4 variants isolated in South Korea.

Norovirus is one of the major causes of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans. The aim of this study was to analyze the amino acid variation of open reading frame 2 of GII.4 variants in South Korea during the period from November 2006 to December 2012.

Full-genomic analysis of a human norovirus recombinant GII.12/13 novel strain isolated from South Korea.

Norovirus (NoV) genogroups I and II are frequently recognized as the main causes of acute gastroenteritis and outbreaks of non-bacterial foodborne diseases. Furthermore, variants and recombinant strains of this virus are continuously emerging worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify NoV strains and to investigate and characterize rare genotypes.

Full-length genomic sequence of subgenotype IIIA hepatitis A virus isolate in Republic of Korea.

Hepatitis A virus is known to cause acute hepatitis and has significant implications for public health throughout the world. In the Republic of Korea, the number of patients with hepatitis A virus infection has been increasing rapidly since 2006. In this study, the Kor-HAV-F strain was identified as subgenotype IIIA by RT-PCR, and its identity was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing and alignment analysis.

Clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma less than or equal to 5 mm on ultrasonography.

Management of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma sized ≤5 mm identified on ultrasonography is controversial. In this study, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma sized ≤5 mm on ultrasonography in comparison to those >5 mm and sought to present rationales for optimal management in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma ≤5 mm. The medical records of 396 patients who underwent surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

Norovirus contamination levels in ground water treatment systems used for food-catering facilities in South Korea.

This study aimed to inspect norovirus contamination of groundwater treatment systems used in food-catering facilities located in South Korea. A nationwide study was performed in 2010. Water samples were collected and, for the analysis of water quality, the temperature, pH, turbidity, and residual chlorine content were assessed.