Risk of COVID-19 transmission on long-haul flights: During the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study aimed to determine the possibility of COVID-19 transmission through in-flight contact during flights for many patients with confirmed COVID-19 during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore infection prevention and control (IPC) methods for overseas infectious diseases. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on flight with a large number of confirmed case among. Delhi- Incheon flights in 2020.

Enhanced Omicron Variant Neutralization by a Human Antibody Tailored to Wild-Type and Delta-Variant SARS-CoV-2 RBDs.

Given the previous SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the inherent unpredictability of viral antigenic drift and shift, preemptive development of diverse neutralizing antibodies targeting a broad spectrum of epitopes is essential to ensure immediate therapeutic and prophylactic interventions during emerging outbreaks. In this study, we present a monoclonal antibody engineered for cross-reactivity to both wild-type and Delta RBDs, which, surprisingly, demonstrates enhanced neutralizing activity against the Omicron variant despite a significant number of mutations. Using an inner membrane display of a human naïve antibody library, we identified antibodies specific to the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD).

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum -Lactamase-Producing Serovar Typhimurium Isolates from Food Animals During 2010-2021 in South Korea.

Extended-spectrum -lactamase (ESBL)-producing is emerging as a worldwide public health concern. In this study, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular characteristics of ESBL-producing serovar Typhimurium ( Typhimurium). We obtained a total of 995 Typhimurium isolates from the feces and carcasses of pigs ( = 678), chickens ( = 202), and cattle ( = 115) during 2010-2021 in Korea.

Booster doses of an inactivated F genotype mumps vaccine enhance immunogenicity in mice.

The mumps virus (MuV) causes a highly contagious human disease characterized by swelling of the parotid glands. Although the administration of an attenuated Jeryl Lynn (JL) MuV vaccine shows efficacy in reducing the incidence of MuV infection, sporadic mumps outbreaks still occur in vaccinated populations. We have previously established that an inactivated F genotype mumps vaccine has a higher neutralizing antibody titer against diverse circulating mumps viruses in mice.

Evaluation of antiviral drugs against newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants.

Ongoing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants and their rapid worldwide spread pose a threat to public health. From November 2022 to February 2023, newly emerged Omicron subvariants, including BQ.1.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Isolated from Healthy Cattle and Pigs in Korea.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria isolated from food animals pose a major health threat to the public on this planet. This study aimed to determine the susceptibility profiles of isolated from cattle and pig fecal samples and investigate the molecular characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing using gene identification, conjugation, and Southern blot approach. Overall 293 were recovered from cattle (120 isolates) and pigs (173 isolates) in 7 provinces of Korea during 2017-2018.

The UGT1A9*22 genotype identifies a high-risk group for irinotecan toxicity among gastric cancer patients.

Several studies have shown associations between irinotecan toxicity and UGT1A genetic variations in colorectal and lung cancer, but only limited data are available for gastric cancer patients. We evaluated the frequencies of UGT1A polymorphisms and their relationship with clinicopathologic parameters in 382 Korean gastric cancer patients. Polymorphisms of UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*27, UGT1A1*28, UGT1A1*60, UGT1A7*2, UGT1A7*3, and UGT1A9*22 were genotyped by direct sequencing.

Artesunate drug-loaded 2D nano-shuttle landing on RBCs infected with malaria parasites.

Artesunic acid (AS), a derivative of artemisinin, is recommended for the treatment of severe and complicated malaria, but its use is limited because of limitations such as a short half-life, non-specific targeting capability, low bioavailability, . To overcome these issues, a novel 2D inorganic delivery shuttle system for an AS drug to target the malarial host, red blood cells (RBCs), is explored by immobilizing AS into 2D metal hydroxides to form AS (artesunate, the deprotonated form of artesunic acid) nanohybrid drugs. Haemolysis assay showed that the AS nanohybrids not only are haemo-compatible but also target RBCs due to the electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding between RBCs and AS nanohybrids.

Bacterial Prevalence in Skin, Urine, Diarrheal Stool, and Respiratory Samples from Dogs.

The emergence of bacterial infections in companion animals is a growing concern as humans can also be infected through the transmission of pathogenic bacteria. Because there have been few studies conducted on companion animals, the extent and significance of prevalence in veterinary practices remain unknown. This is the first nationwide surveillance report aimed at elucidating the prevalence pattern and associated infections of isolated bacteria from dogs in Korea.

Changes in Long-Term Functional Independence in Patients with Moderate and Severe Ischemic Stroke: Comparison of the Responsiveness of the Modified Barthel Index and the Functional Independence Measure.

This study investigated the long-term functional changes in patients with moderate-to-severe ischemic stroke. In addition, we investigated whether there was a difference between the modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) according to severity. To evaluate the changes in the long-term functional independence of the subjects, six evaluations were conducted over 2 years, and the evaluation was performed using MBI and FIM.

Genome-wide gene and serum ferritin interaction in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults aged 40 years or older.

Background And Aims: Elevated serum ferritin is associated with incident Type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the interactions between serum ferritin and genetic factors which may improve understanding underlying mechanism in the development of T2D are still unclear. We determined the gene-ferritin interactions on the development of T2D by genome-wide gene-ferritin interaction analyses.

Methods And Results: A total of 3405 participants from two prospective cohorts of community living residents were included, and the median follow-time was 3.

The impact of fine particulate matter (PM) on various beneficial functions of human endometrial stem cells through its key regulator SERPINB2.

Fine particulate matter (PM) has a small diameter but a large surface area; thus, it may have broad toxic effects that subsequently damage many tissues of the human body. Interestingly, many studies have suggested that the recent decline in female fertility could be associated with increased PM exposure. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the negative effects of PM exposure on female fertility are still a matter of debate.

A case series of flight attendants at risk of COVID-19 in South Korea in 2020.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has infected many individuals worldwide. Individuals in contact with unspecified people during their work, may be at risk of occupational exposure. On June 22, 2020, 1,435 overseas patients were identified in the Republic of Korea.

Clomiphene Citrate Shows Effective and Sustained Antimicrobial Activity against .

() causes chronic pulmonary infections and is the most difficult non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to treat due to its resistance to current antimicrobial drugs, with a treatment success rate of 45.6%. Thus, novel treatment drugs are needed, of which we identified the drug clomiphene citrate (CC), known to treat infertility in women, to exhibit inhibitory activity against .

Status Of Dysphagia After Ischemic Stroke: A Korean Nationwide Study.

Objective: To identify the incidence of dysphagia after ischemic stroke and determine factors affecting the presence of dysphagia.

Design: Retrospective case-control study. This was an interim analysis of a prospective multicenter Korean stroke cohort.

Sleep Quality and Associated Factors in Premenopausal, Perimenopausal, and Postmenopausal Women in Korea: Findings from the K-Stori 2016.

Purpose: Poor sleep quality is a common problem among middle-aged women. Few studies, however, have assessed differences in sleep quality among premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women and related risk factors in Korea women. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality and factors associated therewith according to menopausal status in Korean women.

Bioequivalence for a Fixed-Dose Combination Formulation of Bazedoxifene and Cholecalciferol Compared With the Corresponding Single Entities Given Together.

A fixed-dose combination (FDC) formulation of bazedoxifene 20 mg and cholecalciferol 8 mg was developed to increase medication compliance and convenience for osteoporosis patients. This study was conducted to demonstrate bioequivalence by comparing the pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles and tolerability of an FDC tablet and the individual component tablets. A randomized, open-label, single-dosing, 2-treatment, 2-period, 2-sequence crossover study was conducted in 52 healthy subjects.

Revisiting the Proportional Recovery Model in View of the Ceiling Effect of Fugl-Meyer Assessment.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify the validity of the proportional recovery model in view of the ceiling effect of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment.

Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients enrolled in the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation between August 2012 and May 2015. Recovery proportion was defined as the actual change in Fugl-Meyer Assessment score of the upper extremity between 7 days and 6 months poststroke, relative to the initial neurological impairment.

Color Preference for Host-Seeking Activity of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

A cue for long-range vision allows mosquitoes to identify hosts and differentiate the ecological niches (e.g., habitats).