Group B coxsackieviruses (CVBs) are a group of common human pathogens producing various clinical symptoms. Although the virology of CVB is well known, there is limited information on viral pathogenesis and the relationship between clinical symptoms and viral phenotype, particularly for CVB type 2 (CVB2). In 2004 in Korea, two CVB2 strains were isolated: CB2/04/279 from stool of an acute myocarditis patient with heart failure and CB2/04/243 from an aseptic meningitis patient. In this study, a high degree of homology was observed between the CB2/04/279 and CB2/04/243 full genome sequences. The two Korean CVB2 isolates had 93.1% homology compared to 82.1%–82.5% nucleotide sequence identity with the cardiovirulence-associated reference CVB strain Ohio-1 (CVB/O). CVB2-induced pathogenesis was analyzed, focusing on virus-induced pathology of various tissues in 4-week-old BALB/c inbred male mice. Myocarditis developed and extensive pancreatic inflammation was observed in all mice infected with CB2/04/279 or CVB/O, but not in animals infected with CB2/04/243. This is the first report of the full-genomic sequence and pathogenesis of the CVB2 strain isolated from an acute myocarditis patient in Korea.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Enterovirus ; Genome ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea* ; Male ; Meningitis, Aseptic* ; Mice* ; Myocarditis* ; Pathology ; Phenotype ; Virology

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing loss (HL) in light of noise exposure in Korean middle-aged adults. Methods: Subjects were 10,356 adults (4,509 males, 5,847 females) aged 40–80 years, who completed audiometric tests and laboratory examinations as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2012. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Low-frequency HL was defined as pure tone averages >25 decibels (dB) at low frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kilohertz [kHz]). High-frequency HL was defined as pure tone averages >25 dB at high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz). Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of MetS associated with each HL type were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates and taking into consideration sampling weight. Results: 38.1% and 28.6% met the MetS by NCEP III and IDF criteria, respectively. Prevalence of HL was 29.3% and 63.9% for low- and high-frequency HL, respectively. MetS defined by NCEP III was associated with higher risk of high-frequency HL (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05–1.73), while MetS by IDF criteria was not. The interaction by the noise exposure on the MetS and high-frequency HL was not significant (P-interaction=0.100). There was no association between MetS and low-frequency HL, regardless of applied diagnostic criteria for MetS. Conclusion Our findings suggest MetS is associated with high-frequency HL in people with exposure to noise.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hearing loss (HL) in light of noise exposure in Korean middle-aged adults. Methods: Subjects were 10,356 adults (4,509 males, 5,847 females) aged 40–80 years, who completed audiometric tests and laboratory examinations as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2010 and 2012. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP III) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Low-frequency HL was defined as pure tone averages >25 decibels (dB) at low frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kilohertz [kHz]). High-frequency HL was defined as pure tone averages >25 dB at high frequencies (3, 4, and 6 kHz). Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of MetS associated with each HL type were estimated using multiple logistic regression analysis after adjusting for covariates and taking into consideration sampling weight. Results: 38.1% and 28.6% met the MetS by NCEP III and IDF criteria, respectively. Prevalence of HL was 29.3% and 63.9% for low- and high-frequency HL, respectively. MetS defined by NCEP III was associated with higher risk of high-frequency HL (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05–1.73), while MetS by IDF criteria was not. The interaction by the noise exposure on the MetS and high-frequency HL was not significant (P-interaction=0.100). There was no association between MetS and low-frequency HL, regardless of applied diagnostic criteria for MetS. Conclusion Our findings suggest MetS is associated with high-frequency HL in people with exposure to noise.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Background and Objectives: Metformin, a commonly used antidiabetic drug, has been reported to exhibit promising anticancer effects across various tumor types. This study investigated the effectiveness of combining metformin with radiotherapy (RT) to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).Materials and Method In vitro experiments were conducted in which FaDu and SCC-25 cells were treated with metformin, followed by irradiation. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, and apoptosis was assessed by staining with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/ propidium iodide, followed by flow cytometry. Western blotting was performed to evaluate changes in apoptotic markers. In vivo experiments were performed using a murine AT-84 allograft model, where tumor volume was measured and serum samples were collected to assess the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results: The combination of metformin and RT significantly reduced cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and led to a significant increase in the apoptotic rate, accompanied by the upregulation of cleaved caspase-8 and FoxO3, and the downregulation of Bcl-2. The combination treatment also exhibited antiangiogenic effects, as shown by the reduced hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha level and inhibited tube formation in the endothelial cells. The combined therapy in the mouse model led to marked decrease in tumor volume and the serum VEGF level in comparison to both the control group and the RT alone. Conclusion The concurrent use of metformin and RT successfully suppressed cell proliferation, triggered apoptosis, and increased the antiangiogenic effects in HNSCC. These results support the use of metformin as an adjunct to RT for the treatment of HNSCC.

Objective: To elucidate whether clinical features and the weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) were associated with the presence of lupus nephritis (LN). Methods: We retrospectively divided patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=1,078) into biopsy-proven LN (n=507) and non-LN groups (non-LN, n=571). Baseline clinical features, serologic markers, and the wGRS were collected. The wGRS was calculated from 112 non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) loci and HLA-DRβ1 amino acid haplotypes for SLE. Associations among clinical features, wGRS, and the presence of LN were identified. Results: In the multivariate analysis, patients with LN were younger at diagnosis (odds ratio [OR]=0.97, p＜0.001), had more pleuritis (OR=2.44, p＜0.001) and pericarditis (OR=1.62, p=0.029), had a higher detection rate of anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-dsDNA antibodies, OR=2.22, p＜0.001), anti-Smith antibodies (anti-Sm antibodies, OR=1.70, p=0.002), low level of complement (OR=1.37, p=0.043) and absence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL antibodies, OR=1.60, p=0.002), and had higher wGRS (OR=1.16, p=0.012). Mediation analysis suggested that anti-Sm antibodies and low complement could be mediators in the relationship between high wGRS and the presence of LN. Conclusion Onset age, pleuritis, pericarditis, several serologic markers, and wGRS were associated with the presence of LN. Anti-Sm antibodies and low complement appeared to mediate the indirect relationship between wGRS and the presence of LN.

MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology.Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances:for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.