Cyclospora cayetanensis is an apicomplexan protozoan and is one of the most common pathogens causing chronic diarrhea worldwide. Eight stool samples with diarrheal symptom out of 18 Korean residents who traveled to Nepal were obtained, and examined for 25 enteropathogens including 16 bacterial species, 5 viral species, and 4 protozoans in stool samples as causative agents of water-borne and food-borne disease. Only C. cayetanensis was detected by nested PCR, and 3 PCR-positive samples were sequenced to confirm species identification. However, the oocysts of C. cayetanensis in fecal samples could not be detected by direct microscopy of the stained sample. As far as we know, this is the first report of a group infection with C. cayetanensis from a traveler visiting Nepal, and the second report of a traveler’s diarrhea by C. cayetanensis imported in Korea.

Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis are the main diarrhea-causing parasitic pathogens; however, their prevalence in Korea is unknown. Here, we conducted a survey to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of these 2 pathogens causing acute diarrhea in 8,571 patients hospitalized in 17 Regional Institute of Health Environment sites in Korea, during 2013–2016. C. parvum and G. duodenalis were detected and genotyped by nested PCR, and the isolate were molecularly characterized by sequencing the glycoprotein 60 (Gp60) and β-giardin genes, respectively. The overall prevalence of C. parvum and G. duodenalis was 0.37% (n=32) and 0.55% (n=47), respectively, and both pathogens were more prevalent in children under 9 years old. Molecular epidemiological analysis showed that the C. parvum isolates belonged to the IIa family and were subtyped as IIaA13G2R1, IIaA14G2R1, IIaA15G2R1, and IIaA18G3R1. Analysis of the β-giardin gene fragment from G. duodenalis showed that all positive strains belong to assemblage A. This is the first report on the molecular epidemiology and subtyping of C. parvum and G. duodenalis in such a large number of diarrheal patients in Korea. These results highlight the need for continuous monitoring of these zoonotic pathogens and provide a basis for implementing control and prevention strategies. Further, the results might be useful for epidemiological investigation of the source of outbreak.
Child ; Cryptosporidium parvum ; Cryptosporidium ; Diarrhea ; Genotype ; Giardia lamblia ; Giardia ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Korea ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D3] levels of full-term neonates in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province of Korea to determine the association between maternal and neonatal diseases, known to be affected by low 25(OH)D3 levels. METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D3 levels were evaluated in full-term neonates (n=122) who were born at Kyungpook National University Hospital. Normal full-term neonates (control group, n=38) were classified by sex, season of birth, and delivery mode (normal or caesarean section). Serum 25(OH)D3 levels in neonates (n=84) with maternal diseases (gestational diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, pregnancy induced hypertension, premature rupture of membrane and systemic lupus erythematosus) and neonatal diseases (small for gestational age, transient tachypnea of newborn and pneumonia) were compared with those in control group. RESULTS: The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level in the control group was 9.2+/-5.0 ng/mL. There were no statistically significant differences of serum 25(OH)D3 level between the control group and the disease group. In the control group, 63.2% of serum 25(OH)D3 levels referred to vitamin D deficiency, and 34.2% referred to vitamin D insufficiency. In the maternal disease group and the neonatal disease group, 56.1% and 63.0% of serum 25(OH)D3 levels referred to vitamin D deficiency, and 35.0% and 33.3% referred to vitamin D insufficiency. CONCLUSION: High percentages of neonates were found to be deficient or insufficient in vitamin D. Although low 25(OH)D3 levels have previously been associated with maternal and infant diseases, the association was not observed in this study.
Daegu* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Hypothyroidism ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Korea* ; Membranes ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Seasons ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

PURPOSE: Recently, peripheral nerve allograft was considered to be able to provide valuable nerve materials for large nerve defect. However, the rejection response and slow regeneration of graft have continued to be serious deterrent to application of nerve allograft. Although many studies for reducing graft immunogenicity have been reported, the method to promote nerve regeneration has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the promoting effects of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the regeneration of allografted nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five female Wistar white rats and 90 allogenic Brown-Norway black rats were the recipients and the donors of 1.5 cm sciatic nerve grafts mutually. Recipient rats were randomly allocated to cyclosporin A immunosuppressed group or control group. And each group was subdivided into non-bFGF subgroup, 10 pg-bFGF subgroup and 100 pg-bFGF subgroup. Regeneration of grafted nerves graft was assessed by histological and electomicroscopic studies at 4th, 8th and 12th weeks. RESULTS: Basic fibroblast growth factor showed its promoting effect on the regeneration of the allografted sciatic nerve at 4th week in CsA-treated group and 8th week in non-CsA group. CONCLUSION: Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes the regeneration of the allografted nerve in rat.
Allografts* ; Animals ; Cyclosporine ; Female ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2* ; Humans ; Nerve Regeneration ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

Background: Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are superior model for ocular research due to its morphological and physiological similarities with humans. Thus, the effect of four different anesthetic combinations [ketamine (10 mg/ kg), ketamine + xylazine (7 + 0.6 mg/kg), zoletil (4 mg/kg), and zoletil + xylazine (4 + 0.2 mg/kg)] on intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined in cynomolgus monkeys. Results: The administration of ketamine + xylazine or zoletil + xylazine resulted in lower IOP compared to ketamine or zoletil alone. Moreover, the IOP in male monkeys was higher than in females. The difference between the right and left eye was not found. Conclusions Anesthetics affected the IOP, and gender differences should be considered when measuring the IOP of nonhuman primates (NHPs).

Background: Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are superior model for ocular research due to its morphological and physiological similarities with humans. Thus, the effect of four different anesthetic combinations [ketamine (10 mg/ kg), ketamine + xylazine (7 + 0.6 mg/kg), zoletil (4 mg/kg), and zoletil + xylazine (4 + 0.2 mg/kg)] on intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined in cynomolgus monkeys. Results: The administration of ketamine + xylazine or zoletil + xylazine resulted in lower IOP compared to ketamine or zoletil alone. Moreover, the IOP in male monkeys was higher than in females. The difference between the right and left eye was not found. Conclusions Anesthetics affected the IOP, and gender differences should be considered when measuring the IOP of nonhuman primates (NHPs).

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a high risk of stroke-related morbidity, mortality, and bleeding. However, the overall risk/benefit of anticoagulant therapy among patients with CKD remains unclear. Methods: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were comprehensively searched until July 31, 2020, to investigate the safety and efficacy of apixaban in patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD, as compared with warfarin. The primary outcome was an incidence of major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included composite bleeding (major, clinically relevant, and minor bleeding), venous thromboembolism (VTE), stroke, and death. Results: In total, seven studies consisting of 10,816 patients were included. Compared with warfarin, apixaban was associated with a reduced risk of major bleeding (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.41-0.58). In terms of composite bleeding, apixaban tended to pose a significantly lower risk than warfarin (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.71). There was no difference between apixaban and warfarin with respect to the risk of stroke or death (stroke: OR 1.23, 95% CI 0.49-3.12; death: OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.45-1.18). Conclusion Among patients with stage 4 or 5 CKD, the use of apixaban was associated with a lower risk of bleeding compared to warfarin and was also found to pose no excess risk of thromboembolic events.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalcemia is an important metabolic emergency condition in cancer patients. Bisphosphonate is the treatment of choice for hypercalcemia, whereas calcitonin and hydration with furosemide are recommended for acute supportive therapy. However, data regarding real-world treatment patterns and outcomes of pharmacological treatments are limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of hypercalcemia treatment in solid tumor patients. METHODS: Electronic medical records of 123 adults with solid cancers and albumin-corrected calcium levels >10.5 mg/dL or ionized calcium levels >1.35 mmol/L were reviewed. We retrospectively analyzed the pharmacological treatment and recovery rate according to the severity of hypercalcemia. RESULTS: A total of 177 cases were identified, of which 49 were not treated and 30 were treated with hydration only. In moderate-to-severe cases, 86.5% received pharmacological treatment. Thirty-four cases (19.2%) were treated with bisphosphonate alone and 58 cases (32.8%) were treated with bisphosphonate and calcitonin. In mild hypercalcemia cases, the recovery rate was higher for those receiving hydration only or pharmacological treatment (79.7%) than for those receiving no treatment (61.4%, p = 0.041). Most moderate-to-severe cases were treated with medication and of those treated, 56.3% recovered. The recovery rate was lower in those treated with bisphosphonate alone (38.2%) than in those who underwent calcitonin combination treatment (73.7%, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bisphosphonate combined with calcitonin was found to be more effective than bisphosphonate alone for the treatment of moderate-to-severe hypercalcemia. Considering the current shortage of calcitonin, further efforts are required to ensure its stable supply.
Adult ; Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Electronic Health Records ; Emergencies ; Furosemide ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Provision of optimal endometrial stromal cells is essential in uterine tissue engineering. Culture of these cells is significantly influenced by gonadotropin hormones. This investigation attempted to define the proliferation profiles of murine uterine endometrial stromal cells during in vitro culture with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH), urinary follicle stimulating hormone (uFSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). METHODS: Murine uterine endometrial stromal cells were collected from 8-week-old mice and cultured in vitro up to 72 h, with rFSH, uFSH, or hCG. Cell cycles were analyzed by BrdU assay, and cyclin D1 expression was evaluated according to dose and duration of gonadotropin treatment. RESULTS: BrdU assay showed a further inhibitory effect on murine uterine endometrial stromal cell proliferation when cultured with rFSH compared to uFSH, and a similar inhibitory proliferation profile when cultured with hCG at a specific range of concentrations. The expression of cyclin D1 of murine uterine endometrial stromal cells was down-regulated when cultured with rFSH, uFSH, or hCG, compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: FSH may inhibit the proliferation of murine uterine endometrial stromal cells during in vitro culture. rFSH may have more significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells than uFSH. Establishing an optimal endocrine milieu is necessary using more advanced combination of female hormones for in vitro culture of this type of cells.
Animals ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Cycle ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Cyclin D1 ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Stromal Cells ; Tissue Engineering ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures with architectural and biomechanical properties similar to those of natural tissue have been the focus for generating liver tissue. Microarchitectural organization is believed to be crucial to hepatic function, and 3D cell culture technologies have enabled the construction of tissue-like microenvironments, thereby leading to remarkable progress in Vitro models of human tissue and organs. Recently, to recapitulate the 3D architecture of tissues, spheroids and organoids have become widely accepted as new practical tools for 3D organ modeling. Moreover, the combination of bioengineering approach offers the promise to more accurately model the tissue microenvironment of human organs. Indeed, the employment of sophisticated bioengineered liver models show long-term viability and functional enhancements in biochemical parameters and disease-orient outcome. RESULTS: Various 3D in Vitro liver models have been proposed as a new generation of liver medicine. Likewise, new biomedical engineering approaches and platforms are available to more accurately replicate the in vivo 3D microarchitectures and functions of living organs. This review aims to highlight the recent 3D in Vitro liver model systems, including micropatterning, spheroids, and organoids that are either scaffold-based or scaffold-free systems. Finally, we discuss a number of challenges that will need to be addressed moving forward in the field of liver tissue engineering for biomedical applications. CONCLUSION The ongoing development of biomedical engineering holds great promise for generating a 3D biomimetic liver model that recapitulates the physiological and pathological properties of the liver and has biomedical applications.