Background: There is a correlation between the severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) viral load and disease severity; however, measurement of viral load is difficult in general laboratory and it takes time to obtain a viral load value. Here, the laboratory parameters for predicting the dynamic changes in SFTS viral load were identified.In addition, we tried to evaluate a specific time point for the early determination of clinical deterioration using dynamic change of laboratory parameters. Materials and Methods: This observational study included SFTS patients in Korea (2013 - 2020). Cross-correlation analysis at lagged values was used to determine the temporal correlation between the SFTS viral loads and time-series variables. Fifty-eight SFTS patients were included in the non-severe group (NSG) and 11 in the severe group (SG). Results: In the cross-sectional analyses, 10 parameters -white blood cell, absolute neutrophil cell, lymphocyte, platelet, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK)- were assessed within 30 days from the onset of symptoms; they exhibited three different correlation patterns: (1) positive, (2) positive with a time lag, and (3) negative. A prediction score system was developed for predicting SFTS fatality based on age and six laboratory variables -platelet, aPTT, AST, ALT, LDH, and CPKin 5 days after the onset of symptoms; this scoring system had 87.5% sensitivity and 86.0% specificity (95% confidence interval: 0.831 - 1.00, P <0.001). Conclusion Three types of correlation patterns between the dynamic changes in SFTS viral load and laboratory parameters were identified. The dynamic changes in the viral load could be predicted using the dynamic changes in these variables, which can be particularly helpful in clinical settings where viral load tests cannot be performed. Also, the proposed scoring system could provide timely treatment to critical patients by rapidly assessing their clinical course.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare disease that occurs at less than 6 months of age and is presumably caused by a mutation in the gene that affects pancreatic beta-cell function. Approximately 80% of NDM cases reveal a known genetic mutation, and mutations in potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) and ABCC8 affecting the pancreatic beta-cell adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel may be treated with oral sulfonylurea. Early recognition of mutations in KCNJ11 and ABCC8 is important because early administration of sulfonylurea can not only control blood glucose levels but also improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. In the present study, we report a case of NDM that initially presented as diabetic ketoacidosis at the age of 1 month, accompanied by seizures during hospitalization. After confirmation of the KCNJ11 gene mutation (c.989A>C), we started administering oral sulfonylurea (glimepiride) at the age of 2 months. After gradually increasing the dosage of glimepiride, insulin was discontinued at the age of 3 months. To date, the infant’s blood glucose levels have been well controlled without significant hypoglycemic events. No further episodes of seizures have occurred, and his developmental status is favorable.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare disease that occurs at less than 6 months of age and is presumably caused by a mutation in the gene that affects pancreatic beta-cell function. Approximately 80% of NDM cases reveal a known genetic mutation, and mutations in potassium inwardly rectifying channel subfamily J member 11 (KCNJ11) and ABCC8 affecting the pancreatic beta-cell adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel may be treated with oral sulfonylurea. Early recognition of mutations in KCNJ11 and ABCC8 is important because early administration of sulfonylurea can not only control blood glucose levels but also improve neurodevelopmental outcomes. In the present study, we report a case of NDM that initially presented as diabetic ketoacidosis at the age of 1 month, accompanied by seizures during hospitalization. After confirmation of the KCNJ11 gene mutation (c.989A>C), we started administering oral sulfonylurea (glimepiride) at the age of 2 months. After gradually increasing the dosage of glimepiride, insulin was discontinued at the age of 3 months. To date, the infant’s blood glucose levels have been well controlled without significant hypoglycemic events. No further episodes of seizures have occurred, and his developmental status is favorable.

Among total 108 cases of biopsy-proven fibroadenomas of the breast, which obtained from the files of the Asan Medical Center during one year period from October 1998 to September 1999, 23 cases cytologically diagnosed as high risk group were reviewed to retrieve the mis-leading factors. Initial cytologic diagnoses of 23 cases were proliferative breast lesion with atypia(high risk) in 21 cases(91.3%) and papillary neoplasm in 2 cases(8.7%). When we reanalysed 23 cases by Masood scoring system, they were classified as one non-proliferative breast lesion(4.3%), 16 proliferative breast lesions without atypia (69.6%), and 6 proliferative breast lesions with atypia(26.1%). None were subject to the category of carcinoma. Cytologic features leading to the overdiagnosis of high grade epithelial lesions were as follows; cellular dissociation without nuclear atypia, nuclear pleomorphism, anisonucleosis, and occasional macronucleoli without nuclear enlargement, lack of myxoid stroma, and few naked stromal cells. To avoid cytologic overdiagnosis of fibroadenoma, mild to moderate nuclear pleomorphism without nuclear enlargement, and cellular dissociation without nuclear atypia should not be regarded as criteria of high risk group.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Breast* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis ; Fibroadenoma* ; Stromal Cells

BACKGROUND: The long-term prognosis of BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is uncertain. We evaluated the long-term prognosis in KTRs with BKVAN and the clinical significance of BKVAN on post-transplant clinical outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 582 patients who underwent kidney transplant (KT) between 2001 and 2014. We divided the patients into a BKVAN group (15 patients) diagnosed by allograft biopsy and a control group (356 patients). RESULTS: The incidence of BKVAN was 4.0%, and the mean follow-up duration was 93.1 ± 52.3 months. Median time from KT to BKVAN diagnosis was 5.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 4.4–8.7). In the BKVAN group, 9 (60.0%) KTRs with combined acute rejection progressed to graft failure, and the median time from BKVAN diagnosis to graft failure was 36.2 months (IQR, 9.7–65.5). Death-censored graft survival rate and patient survival rate in the BKVAN group were significantly lower than those in the control group. BKVAN and rejection were independent risk factors for graft failure. In the subgroup analysis, death-censored graft survival rate of KTRs with BKVAN with acute rejection was significantly worst in comparison with similar patients without BKVAN regardless of acute rejection (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The long-term prognosis of BKVAN with acute rejection was very poor because of graft failure caused by inadequate treatment for acute rejection considering BKVAN. Therefore, we should carefully monitor the allograft status of KTRs through regular surveillance tests after treatment for BKVAN with acute rejection.
Allografts ; Biopsy ; BK Virus ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney* ; Medical Records ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transplant Recipients* ; Transplants

Background: Post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH), a common complication of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in very low birth weight (BW) infants, is associated with significant morbidity and poor neurological outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the current status of PHH and analyze the risk factors associated with the necessity of treatment for PHH in infants born between 22 and 28 weeks of gestation, specifically those with severe IVH (grade 3 or 4). Methods: The analysis was conducted on 1,097 infants who were born between 22–28 gestational weeks and diagnosed with severe IVH, using data from the Korean Neonatal Network. We observed that the prevalence of PHH requiring treatment was 46.3% in infants with severe IVH. Results: Higher rates of mortality, transfer during admission, cerebral palsy, and ventriculoperitoneal shunt after discharge were higher in infants with PHH than in those without PHH. PHH in severe IVH was associated with a higher rate of pulmonary hemorrhage, seizures, and IVH grade 4 in the entire cohort. In addition, it was associated with a lower rate of small for gestational age and chorioamnionitis. In the subgroup analysis, high BW, outborn status, pulmonary hemorrhage, seizure, sepsis, and IVH grade 4 were associated with a higher incidence of PHH between 22 and 25 gestational weeks (GW). In infants born between 26 and 28 GW, a higher incidence of PHH was associated with seizures and IVH grade 4. Conclusion It is necessary to maintain meticulous monitoring and neurological intervention for infants with PHH not only during admission but also after discharge. In addition, identifying the clinical factors that increase the likelihood of developing PHH from severe IVH is crucial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. (ECM) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The potential anti-inflammatory properties of ECM were investigated by using RAW264.7 macrophages. We used western blot assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Luciferase assays were performed to determine the transactivity of transcription factors. RESULTS: ECM significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These inhibitory effects of ECM were accompanied by decreases in LPS-induced nuclear translocations and transactivities of NFkappaB. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was significantly suppressed by ECM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that ECM by itself induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression at the protein levels in dose-dependent manner. However, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the ECM-induced suppression of NO production. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ECM-induced HO-1 expression was partly responsible for the resulting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that ECM exerts anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of Erigeron Canadensis L.
Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Erigeron* ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Luciferases ; Macrophages* ; Methanol* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Kinases ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factors ; Up-Regulation* ; Zinc

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. (ECM) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The potential anti-inflammatory properties of ECM were investigated by using RAW264.7 macrophages. We used western blot assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Luciferase assays were performed to determine the transactivity of transcription factors. RESULTS: ECM significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These inhibitory effects of ECM were accompanied by decreases in LPS-induced nuclear translocations and transactivities of NFkappaB. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was significantly suppressed by ECM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that ECM by itself induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression at the protein levels in dose-dependent manner. However, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the ECM-induced suppression of NO production. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ECM-induced HO-1 expression was partly responsible for the resulting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that ECM exerts anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of Erigeron Canadensis L.
Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Erigeron* ; Heme Oxygenase-1* ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Luciferases ; Macrophages* ; Methanol* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Kinases ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factors ; Up-Regulation* ; Zinc

Background: Though antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 ) is widely used for fetal neuroprotection, suspicions about the long-term neuroprotection of antenatal MgSO4 have been raised. Methods: We investigated short- and long-term outcomes of antenatal MgSO4 use for 468 infants weighing < 1,500 g with a gestational age of 24–31 weeks. Results: Short-term morbidities and the risk of developmental delay, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy at a corrected age of 18–24 months and 3 years of age did not decrease in the MgSO4 group (infants who were exposed to MgSO4 for any purpose) or neuroprotection group (infants who were exposed to MgSO4 for fetal neuroprotection) compared with the control group (infants who were not exposed to MgSO4 ). The z-scores of weight, height, and head circumference did not increase in the MgSO4 group or neuroprotection group compared with the control group. Conclusion Antenatal MgSO4 including MgSO4 for neuroprotection did not have beneficial effects on long-term neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes.

Objectives: Ewha Womans University launched an on-campus Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) response system called Ewha Safety Campus (ESC) Project in collaboration with the Seegene Inc. RTPCR diagnostic tests for COVID-19 were proactively provided to the participants. This study examines the effectiveness of the on-campus testing strategy in controlling the reproduction number (Rt ) and identifying student groups vulnerable to infection. Methods: The ESC project was launched on March 2, 2022, with a pilot period from Feb 22 to March 1, 2022—the peak of the Omicron variant wave. We collected daily data on the RT-PCR test results of the students of Ewha Womans University from Mar 2 to Apr 30, 2022. We daily calculated Rt and compared it with that of the general population of Korea (women, people aged 20–29 years, and Seoul residents). We also examined the students vulnerable to the infection based on the group-specific Rt and positivity rate. Results: A lower Rt was observed about 2 weeks after the implementation of the ESC Project than that of the general population. The lower Rt persisted during the entire study period. Dormitory residents had a higher Rt . The positivity rate was higher in students who did not comply with quarantine guidelines and did not receive the second dose of the vaccine. Conclusion The study provides scientific evidence for the effectiveness of the on-campus testing strategy and different infection vulnerabilities of students, depending on dormitory residence, compliance with the quarantine guidelines, and vaccination.