Background: The Omicron variant has become the most prevalent SARS-CoV-2 variant. Omicron is known to induce milder lesions compared to the original Wuhan strain. Fatal infection of the Wuhan strain into the brain has been well documented in COVID-19 mouse models and human COVID-19 cases, but apparent infections into the brain by Omicron have not been reported in human adult cases or animal models. In this study, we investigated whether Omicron could spread to the brain using K18-hACE2 mice susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: K18-hACE2 mice were intranasally infected with 1 × 105 PFU of the original Wuhan strain and the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. A follow-up was conducted 7 days post infection. All Wuhan-infected mice showed > 20% body weight loss, defined as the lethal condition, whereas two out of five Omicron-infected mice (40%) lost > 20% body weight. Histopathological analysis based on H&E staining revealed inflammatory responses in the brains of these two Omicron-infected mice. Immunostaining analysis of viral nucleocapsid protein revealed severe infection of neuron cells in the brains of these two Omicron-infected mice. Lymphoid depletion and apoptosis were observed in the spleen of Omicron-infected mice with brain infection. Conclusion Lethal conditions, such as severe body weight loss and encephalopathy, can occur in Omicron-infected K18-hACE2 mice. Our study reports, for the first time, that Omicron can induce brain infection with lymphoid depletion in the mouse COVID-19 model.

Purpose: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a common psychological issue in breast cancer (BC) survivors during early survivorship but whether the same is true among long-term survivors has yet to be empirically evaluated. This study investigated FCR level, its associated factors, and impact on quality of life (QoL) in long-term BC survivors. Materials and Methods: Participants included women diagnosed with BC between 2004 and 2010 at two tertiary hospitals. Survey was conducted in 2020. The study measured FCR with the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory and other patient-reported outcomes, including depression and cancer-related QoL. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with FCR, and structural equation modeling was conducted to explore the impact of FCR on other outcomes. Results: Of 333 participants, the mean age at diagnosis was 45.5, and 46% experienced FCR. Age at diagnosis ≤ 45 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51 to 4.60), shorter time since diagnosis (aOR, 1.75, 95% CI, 1.08 to 2.89), and having a history of recurrence (aOR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.16 to 5.65) was associated with more FCR. FCR was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression (β=0.471, p < 0.001) and negatively impacted emotional functioning (β=–0.531, p < 0.001). In addition, a higher FCR level may impair overall health-related QoL in long-term BC survivors (β=–0.108, p=0.021). Conclusion Ten years after diagnosis, long-term BC survivors still experienced a high level of FCR. Further, the negative impact of FCR on QoL and increased depression risk require an FCR screening and appropriate interventions to enhance long-term BC survivors' QoL.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the treatment outcomes and to evaluate the clinicopathological prognostic factors of oral tongue cancer. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed treatment results and prognostic factors in 205 patients with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma who were admitted to the National Cancer Center, South Korea, between January 2001 and December 2020. The patients were treated with surgery and postoperative, definitive radiotherapy (RT) or chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Results: Eighteen patients (8.8%) were treated with curative RT or CRT, while the rest (91.2%) were treated with surgery with or without postoperative RT or CRT. The median follow-up period was 30 months (range, 0-234 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) were 72% and 63%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that a positive neck nodal status (N1, N2-3) was significantly associated with poorer 5-year OS and DFS, while perineural invasion was associated with poorer 5-year DFS. Conclusion Cervical metastasis and perineural invasion are significant prognostic predictors, and combination treatments are necessary for improving OS and DFS in patients with these factors.

Background: Papillary breast lesions (PBLs) comprise diverse entities from benign and atypical lesions to malignant tumors. Although PBLs are characterized by a papillary growth pattern, it is challenging to achieve high diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility. Thus, we investigated the diagnostic reproducibility of PBLs in core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens with World Health Organization (WHO) classification. Methods: Diagnostic reproducibility was assessed using interobserver variability (kappa value, κ) and agreement rate in the pathologic diagnosis of 60 PBL cases on CNB among 20 breast pathologists affiliated with 20 medical institutions in Korea. This analysis was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for cytokeratin 5 (CK5) and p63. The pathologic diagnosis of PBLs was based on WHO classification, which was used to establish simple classifications (4-tier, 3-tier, and 2-tier). Results: On WHO classification, H&E staining exhibited ‘fair agreement’ (κ = 0.21) with a 47.0% agreement rate. Simple classifications presented improvement in interobserver variability and agreement rate. IHC staining increased the kappa value and agreement rate in all the classifications. Despite IHC staining, the encapsulated/solid papillary carcinoma (EPC/SPC) subgroup (κ = 0.16) exhibited lower agreement compared to the non-EPC/SPC subgroup (κ = 0.35) with WHO classification, which was similar to the results of any other classification systems. Conclusions Although the use of IHC staining for CK5 and p63 increased the diagnostic agreement of PBLs in CNB specimens, WHO classification exhibited a higher discordance rate compared to any other classifications. Therefore, this result warrants further intensive consensus studies to improve the diagnostic reproducibility of PBLs with WHO classification.

Background: The study was planned to show the status of indoor microorganisms and the status of the reduction device in the military dog clinic. Methods: Airborne microbes were analyzed according to the number of daily patient canines. For identification of bacteria, sampled bacteria was identified using VITEK®2 and molecular method. The status of indoor microorganisms according to the operation of the ventilation system was analyzed. Results: Airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations were 1000.6 ± 800.7 CFU/m3 and 324.7 ± 245.8 CFU/m3. In the analysis using automated identification system, based on fluorescence biochemical test, VITEK®2, mainly human pathogenic bacteria were identified. The three most frequently isolated genera were Kocuria (26.6%), Staphylococcus (24.48%), and Granulicatella (12.7%). The results analyzed by molecular method were detected in the order of Kocuria (22.6%), followed by Macrococcus (18.1%), Glutamicibacter (11.1%), and so on. When the ventilation system was operated appropriately, the airborne bacteria and fungi level were significantly decreased. Conclusion Airborne bacteria in the clinic tend to increase with the number of canines. Human pathogenic bacteria were mainly detected in VITEK®2, and relatively various bacteria were detected in molecular analysis. A decrease in the level of bacteria and fungi was observed with proper operation of the ventilation system.

Background: The study was planned to show the status of indoor microorganisms and the status of the reduction device in the military dog clinic. Methods: Airborne microbes were analyzed according to the number of daily patient canines. For identification of bacteria, sampled bacteria was identified using VITEK®2 and molecular method. The status of indoor microorganisms according to the operation of the ventilation system was analyzed. Results: Airborne bacteria and fungi concentrations were 1000.6 ± 800.7 CFU/m3 and 324.7 ± 245.8 CFU/m3. In the analysis using automated identification system, based on fluorescence biochemical test, VITEK®2, mainly human pathogenic bacteria were identified. The three most frequently isolated genera were Kocuria (26.6%), Staphylococcus (24.48%), and Granulicatella (12.7%). The results analyzed by molecular method were detected in the order of Kocuria (22.6%), followed by Macrococcus (18.1%), Glutamicibacter (11.1%), and so on. When the ventilation system was operated appropriately, the airborne bacteria and fungi level were significantly decreased. Conclusion Airborne bacteria in the clinic tend to increase with the number of canines. Human pathogenic bacteria were mainly detected in VITEK®2, and relatively various bacteria were detected in molecular analysis. A decrease in the level of bacteria and fungi was observed with proper operation of the ventilation system.

The first edition of the ‘Standardized Pathology Report for Colorectal Cancer,’ which was developed by the Gastrointestinal Pathology Study Group (GIP) of the Korean Society of Pathologists, was published 13 years ago. Meanwhile, there have been many changes in the pathologic diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC), pathologic findings included in the pathology report, and immunohistochemical and molecular pathology required for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. In order to reflect these changes, we (GIP) decided to make the second edition of the report. The purpose of this standardized pathology report is to provide a practical protocol for Korean pathologists, which could help diagnose and treat CRC patients. This report consists of “standard data elements” and “conditional data elements.” Basic pathologic findings and parts necessary for prognostication of CRC patients are classified as “standard data elements,” while other prognostic factors and factors related to adjuvant therapy are classified as “conditional data elements” so that each institution could select the contents according to the characteristics of the institution. The Korean version is also provided separately so that Korean pathologists can easily understand and use this report. We hope that this report will be helpful in the daily practice of CRC diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Being common, mild anemia is sometimes considered a mere consequence of aging; however, aging alone is unlikely to lead to anemia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between mild anemia and total mortality and cause-specific mortality in apparently healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 10,114 apparently healthy elderly individuals who underwent cancer screening and routine medical check-ups at one Health Promotion Center between May 1995 and December 2007. We defined mild anemia as a hemoglobin concentration between 10.0 g/dL and 11.9 g/dL in women and between 10.0 g/dL and 12.9 g/dL in men. We assessed the relationship between the overall, cardiovascular (CV), and cancer mortality and mild anemia using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Mild anemia was present in 143 men (3.1%) and 246 women (6.1%). During an average follow-up of 7.6 years, 495 deaths occurred, including 121 CV and 225 cancer deaths. After adjustments, mild anemia was associated with a 128% increase in the risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54–3.37) in men and cancer-related mortality (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.22–4.13), particularly lung cancer (HR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.03–7.08) in men, but not in women. In the subgroup analyses based on smoking status, obesity, and age, the associations were more prominent in never or former smoker groups and the older group. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that overall and cancer-related mortality was associated with mild anemia in elderly men. Future prospective studies are needed to consolidate our findings.
Aged ; Aging ; Anemia ; Cause of Death ; Cohort Studies ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Mortality ; Obesity ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking

Helicobacter pylori are a capnophilic bacterium, which colonize gastric mucosa and are resistant to acidic and oxidative damage. Thiol-active proteins subserve redox functions in tolerating oxidative stress and environmental toxicants, such as hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorous acid. We analyzed disulfide-containing proteins of H. pylori strain 26695. Active disulfide-containing proteins were separated by thiol-affinity chromatography, displayed with two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. Thirty-five putative disulfide proteins, including AhpC (HP1563), GroEL (HP0011), and FrdB (HP0191), were identified in this study. In addition, 4 disulfide proteins of HypB, FusA, TufB, and AhpC showed enhanced intensities in the periplasmic space when compared with the pellet, suggesting that these proteins might play roles in the first redox system against environmental oxidative stresses. Disulfide-containing proteins identified in this study will provide the standard landscape for constructing the proteome components responsible for redox regulation of H. pylori.
Chromatography ; Colon ; Electrophoresis ; Gastric Mucosa ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Hypochlorous Acid ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Periplasm ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Sprains and Strains

PURPOSE: We analyzed factors related to quality of photographs taken at neuroangiographic suites to optimize exposure condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a camera (EOS-300D, Canon Inc., Tokyo) with a standard- (EF-S 18-55 mm F3.5-5.6 USM, Canon Inc., Tokyo) and a macro-lens (EF 100 mm f/2.8 Macro USM, Canon Inc., Tokyo). Photographs were taken at a light-booth (1000 lux) and 2 neuroangiographic suites (988 and 856 lux) under ordinary intensity of illumination. We took photographs of a test chart (ColorChecker, X-rite, Michigan) and Kodak Q-13 Grey Scale Card at different values of aperture and shutter speed with fixed ISO of 400 and assessed the quality of photographs by Blade Pro (V1.1, Image group, Seoul). We analyzed photographs of a device at 1/25-1/80 shutter speed and F12 - 20 apertures and compared the result and also made visual assessment. RESULTS: Photographs of test chart and Grey Scale Card revealed that the best images chosen by Blade Pro were distributed in scattered range of quality which could help understand the range of optimum exposure condition but was not suitable for practical usage. We obtained reasonable quality photograph at shutter speed of 1/40 and aperture of F16 that can be used in 3 places. CONCLUSION: The most appropriate exposure condition when taking photographs in neuroangiographic suites could be explored. To get an optimal image in limited illumination, it is mandatory to select a fast enough shutter speed to avoid motion artifacts and a sufficient aperture to actualize the subject depth.
Artifacts ; Lighting