The protective impact of myricetin against PM-induced cellular apoptosis by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Particulate matter 2.5 (PM) exposure is responsible for skin inflammation, aging, and disruption of skin homeostasis. The objective of this investigation was to assess the potential of myricetin in protecting against skin damage caused by PM.

Case Report: Streptococcus suis Human Infections among Pork Consumers in Jeju, South Korea: Zoonotic Threats.

Streptococcus suis, a bacterium commonly found in pigs, causes infections in humans through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated pork products. Recently, a localized outbreak of S. suis infection in humans resulted in three confirmed cases.

Butin Protects Keratinocytes From Particulate Matter 2.5 and Ultraviolet B-Mediated Damages.

Background: Butin is a naturally occurring compound with a wide range of medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and antioxidant properties. Particulate matter 2.5 (PM) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation contribute to skin cell damage via the induction of oxidative stress.

Molecular epidemiology and virulence factors of group B Streptococcus in South Korea according to the invasiveness.

Background: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) causes invasive infections in newborns and elderly individuals, but is a noninvasive commensal bacterium in most immunocompetent people. Recently, the incidence of invasive GBS infections has increased worldwide, and there is growing interest in the molecular genetic characteristics of invasive GBS strains. Vaccines against GBS are expected in the near future.

Fitness costs of Tn1546-type transposons harboring the vanA operon by plasmid type and structural diversity in Enterococcus faecium.

Background: This study analyzed the genetic traits and fitness costs of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) blood isolates carrying Tn1546-type transposons harboring the vanA operon.

Methods: All E. faecium blood isolates were collected from eight general hospitals in South Korea during one-year study period.

Rosmarinic Acid Inhibits Ultraviolet B-Mediated Oxidative Damage via the AKT/ERK-NRF2-GSH Pathway and .

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a phenolic ester that protects human keratinocytes against oxidative damage induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure, however, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the cell signaling mechanisms that regulate the antioxidant activity of RA and confirm its cyto-protective role. To explore the signaling mechanisms, we used the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT and SKH1 hairless mouse skin.

Associations of leptin receptors and miRNA polymorphisms with susceptibility to hypertension.

Leptin receptors (LEPR) are located in the central nervous system and other tissues including adipocytes and endothelial cells, where they play a key role in mediating the effects of leptin. MicroRNA (miR/miRNA)-27a and miR-155 have been shown to play an important role in the regulation of LEPR expression and are differentially expressed in various diseases. Therefore, the present study analyzed potential associations of LEPR deletion/insertion (Del/Ins), miR-27aA>G (rs895819) and miR-155T>A (rs767649) polymorphisms with a predisposition to hypertension (HTN).

Performance of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry (VITEK MS) in the Identification of Species.

is a major pathogen causing foodborne infections in humans. Salmonella isolates are identified using biochemical and serological tests, including automated systems such as the VITEK2 system. However, there are few reports on identification using VITEK MS.

Nationwide Surveillance of Antifungal Resistance of Bloodstream Isolates in South Korean Hospitals: Two Year Report from Kor-GLASS.

We incorporated nationwide Candida antifungal surveillance into the Korea Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (Kor-GLASS) for bacterial pathogens. We prospectively collected and analyzed complete non-duplicate blood isolates and information from nine sentinel hospitals during 2020−2021, based on GLASS early implementation protocol for the inclusion of Candida species. Candida species ranked fourth among 10,758 target blood pathogens and second among 4050 hospital-origin blood pathogens.

Emergence of NDM-1-producing Sequence Type 773 Clone: Shift of Carbapenemase Molecular Epidemiology and Spread of 16S rRNA Methylase Genes in Korea.

Imipenemase (IMP)-6-producing sequence type (ST) 235 is a dominant clone of carbapenemase-producing (CPPAE) in Korea. As part of the Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in Korea, we found an increase in the carbapenem resistance rate of isolates from blood cultures and a shift in the molecular epidemiology of CPPAE. A total of 212 non-duplicated blood isolates were obtained from nine general hospitals and two nursing homes.

Characteristics of Escherichia coli Urine Isolates and Risk Factors for Secondary Bloodstream Infections in Patients with Urinary Tract Infections.

Escherichia coli is responsible for more than 80% of all incidences of urinary tract infections (UTIs). We assessed a total of 636 cases of patients with E. coli UTIs occurring in June 2019 in eight tertiary hospitals in South Korea for the traits of patients with E.

Comparison of Six Antifungal Susceptibilities of 11 Species Using the VITEK2 AST-YS08 Card and Broth Microdilution Method.

We used a Vitek 2 AST-YS08 (YS08) system and the broth microdilution method (BMD) adopted by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) to compare the susceptibility of 184 isolates of 11 species to fluconazole, voriconazole, micafungin, caspofungin, amphotericin B, and flucytosine. In Candida albicans, the categorical agreement (CA) was 79.2%, 91.

Healthcare Workers in South Korea Maintain a SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Response Six Months After Receiving a Second Dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine.

Background: Effective vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are available worldwide; however, the longevity of vaccine effectiveness is not known.

Objective: We performed a prospective observational study to assess the antibody response of healthcare workers against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody (nAb) and spike (S) protein-IgG (S-IgG) antibody titers were examined in participants who received two doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in a single center between March 1, 2021, and October 11, 2021.

Aseptic Meningitis Following Second Dose of an mRNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine in a Healthy Male: Case Report and Literature Review.

Vaccines are one of the most important strategies against pandemics or epidemics involving infectious diseases. With the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), there have been global efforts for rapid development of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and vaccination is being performed globally on a massive scale. With rapid increase in vaccination, rare adverse events have been reported.

Major Bloodstream Infection-Causing Bacterial Pathogens and Their Antimicrobial Resistance in South Korea, 2017-2019: Phase I Report From Kor-GLASS.

To monitor national antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Korea Global AMR Surveillance System (Kor-GLASS) was established. This study analyzed bloodstream infection (BSI) cases from Kor-GLASS phase I from January 2017 to December 2019. Nine non-duplicated Kor-GLASS target pathogens, including , , , , , , , spp.

Pathogenic Variants Are Frequent Among the Korean General Population.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of pathogenic variants among Koreans.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we queried for pathogenic variants in 2 Korean public genome databases: the Korean Reference Genome Database (KRGDB) and the Korean Genome Project (Korea1K). In addition, we screened the 3 most common pathogenic variants (p.

Human zoonotic infectious disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a highly contagious infectious organism that causes disease in horses. SEZ is seldom isolated from humans; however, zoonotic infections are occasionally reported in individuals exposed to horses and other livestock.

The first case of abdominal mycotic aneurysm caused by K1 hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in a healthy adult.

Incidence of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) infection has been steadily increasing in the Asia-Pacific rim. The characteristic of hvKp infection is its ability to cause multiple site infections and unpredictable metastatic spread in the community. We describe the first case of mycotic aneurysm caused by hvKp serotype K1 in a previously healthy man and review the literature.

Dynamics and Predictors of Mortality Due to Candidemia Caused by Different Species: Comparison of Intensive Care Unit-Associated Candidemia (ICUAC) and Non-ICUAC.

We investigated mortality and predictors of mortality due to intensive care unit-associated candidemia (ICUAC) versus non-ICUAC by species. This study included all candidemia cases in 11 hospitals from 2017 to 2018 in South Korea. The all-cause mortality rates in all 370 patients with ICUAC were approximately twofold higher than those in all 437 patients with non-ICUAC at 7 days (2.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Trends of by Age Groups Over Recent 10 Years in a Single Hospital in South Korea.

Purpose: () causes respiratory tract infections. Its non-vaccine serotypes and multidrug-resistant pneumococcal diseases have increased during the post-pneumococcal vaccination era. Therefore, it is important to understand the regional and age-related antimicrobial susceptibility of to select appropriate empirical antimicrobials.