Background/Aims: The genetic expression in the active inflammatory regions is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) with endoscopic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular activity of inflammation and tissue remodeling markers in endoscopically inflamed and uninflamed regions of UC. Methods: Patients with UC (n=47) and controls (n=20) were prospectively enrolled at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Inflamed tissue was obtained at the most active lesion, and uninflamed tissue was collected from approximately 15 cm above the upper end of the active lesion via colonoscopic biopsies. The messenger RNA expression levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, E-cadherin, olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), vimentin, fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were evaluated. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined according to a Mayo endoscopic score of 0, 1 or non-MH (Mayo endoscopic score of 2 or 3). Results: The messenger RNA expressions of TGF-β, IL-1β, OLFM4, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA were significantly higher, and that of E-cadherin was significantly lower in inflamed and uninflamed regions of patients with UC than those in controls. In the inflamed regions, patients in the non-MH group had significantly increased genetic expression of TGF-β, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA compared to patients in the MH group. Similarly, the non-MH group had significantly higher genetic expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, vimentin, and α-SMA than the MH group in the uninflamed regions. Conclusions Endoscopic activity in UC suggests inflammation and tissue remodeling of uninflamed regions similar to inflamed regions.

Background/Aims: The genetic expression in the active inflammatory regions is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) with endoscopic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular activity of inflammation and tissue remodeling markers in endoscopically inflamed and uninflamed regions of UC. Methods: Patients with UC (n=47) and controls (n=20) were prospectively enrolled at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Inflamed tissue was obtained at the most active lesion, and uninflamed tissue was collected from approximately 15 cm above the upper end of the active lesion via colonoscopic biopsies. The messenger RNA expression levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, E-cadherin, olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), vimentin, fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were evaluated. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined according to a Mayo endoscopic score of 0, 1 or non-MH (Mayo endoscopic score of 2 or 3). Results: The messenger RNA expressions of TGF-β, IL-1β, OLFM4, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA were significantly higher, and that of E-cadherin was significantly lower in inflamed and uninflamed regions of patients with UC than those in controls. In the inflamed regions, patients in the non-MH group had significantly increased genetic expression of TGF-β, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA compared to patients in the MH group. Similarly, the non-MH group had significantly higher genetic expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, vimentin, and α-SMA than the MH group in the uninflamed regions. Conclusions Endoscopic activity in UC suggests inflammation and tissue remodeling of uninflamed regions similar to inflamed regions.

Background/Aims: The genetic expression in the active inflammatory regions is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) with endoscopic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular activity of inflammation and tissue remodeling markers in endoscopically inflamed and uninflamed regions of UC. Methods: Patients with UC (n=47) and controls (n=20) were prospectively enrolled at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Inflamed tissue was obtained at the most active lesion, and uninflamed tissue was collected from approximately 15 cm above the upper end of the active lesion via colonoscopic biopsies. The messenger RNA expression levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, E-cadherin, olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), vimentin, fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were evaluated. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined according to a Mayo endoscopic score of 0, 1 or non-MH (Mayo endoscopic score of 2 or 3). Results: The messenger RNA expressions of TGF-β, IL-1β, OLFM4, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA were significantly higher, and that of E-cadherin was significantly lower in inflamed and uninflamed regions of patients with UC than those in controls. In the inflamed regions, patients in the non-MH group had significantly increased genetic expression of TGF-β, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA compared to patients in the MH group. Similarly, the non-MH group had significantly higher genetic expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, vimentin, and α-SMA than the MH group in the uninflamed regions. Conclusions Endoscopic activity in UC suggests inflammation and tissue remodeling of uninflamed regions similar to inflamed regions.

Background/Aims: The genetic expression in the active inflammatory regions is increased in ulcerative colitis (UC) with endoscopic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular activity of inflammation and tissue remodeling markers in endoscopically inflamed and uninflamed regions of UC. Methods: Patients with UC (n=47) and controls (n=20) were prospectively enrolled at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Inflamed tissue was obtained at the most active lesion, and uninflamed tissue was collected from approximately 15 cm above the upper end of the active lesion via colonoscopic biopsies. The messenger RNA expression levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, E-cadherin, olfactomedin-4 (OLFM4), leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), vimentin, fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP1), and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) were evaluated. Mucosal healing (MH) was defined according to a Mayo endoscopic score of 0, 1 or non-MH (Mayo endoscopic score of 2 or 3). Results: The messenger RNA expressions of TGF-β, IL-1β, OLFM4, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA were significantly higher, and that of E-cadherin was significantly lower in inflamed and uninflamed regions of patients with UC than those in controls. In the inflamed regions, patients in the non-MH group had significantly increased genetic expression of TGF-β, FSP1, vimentin, and α-SMA compared to patients in the MH group. Similarly, the non-MH group had significantly higher genetic expression of TGF-β, IL-1β, IL-6, vimentin, and α-SMA than the MH group in the uninflamed regions. Conclusions Endoscopic activity in UC suggests inflammation and tissue remodeling of uninflamed regions similar to inflamed regions.

Background: Over the last decade, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use in critically ill children has increased and is associated with favorable outcomes. Our study aims to evaluate the current status of pediatric ECMO in Korea, with a specific focus on its volume and changes in survival rates based on diagnostic indications. Methods: This multicenter study retrospectively analyzed the indications and outcomes of pediatric ECMO over 10 years in patients at 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2012 to December 2021. Four diagnostic categories (neonatal respiratory, pediatric respiratory, postcardiotomy, and cardiac-medical) and trends were compared between periods 1 (2012–2016) and 2 (2017–2021). Results: Overall, 1065 ECMO runs were performed on 1032 patients, with the annual number of cases remaining unchanged over the 10 years. ECMO was most frequently used for post-cardiotomy (42.4%), cardiac-medical (31.8%), pediatric respiratory (17.5%), and neonatal respiratory (8.2%) cases. A 3.7% increase and 6.1% decrease in pediatric respiratory and post-cardiotomy cases, respectively, were noted between periods 1 and 2.Among the four groups, the cardiac-medical group had the highest survival rate (51.2%), followed by the pediatric respiratory (46.4%), post-cardiotomy (36.5%), and neonatal respiratory (29.4%) groups. A consistent improvement was noted in patient survival over the 10 years, with a significant increase between the two periods from 38.2% to 47.1% (P = 0.004). Improvement in survival was evident in post-cardiotomy cases (30–45%, P = 0.002).Significant associations with mortality were observed in neonates, patients requiring dialysis, and those treated with extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (P < 0.001). In pediatric respiratory ECMO, immunocompromised patients also showed a significant correlation with mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusion Pediatric ECMO demonstrated a steady increase in overall survival in Korea;however, further efforts are needed since the outcomes remain suboptimal compared with global outcomes.

Although helminth parasites have different life cycles, their hosts share similar immune responses involving Th2 cell-type. Here, we extracted proteins from the larvae of Anisakis simplex complex and Trichinella spiralis to identify common and specific antigens (or allergens) associated with the Th2 immune response. We performed two-dimensional electrophoresis analysis and Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight/time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) experiments. We found 13 potentially immunogenic proteins, which included 5 spots specific to T. spiralis and 8 common to T. spiralis and A. simplex, by tandem mass spectrometry. These molecules were identified structurally as actin, tropomyosin, col cuticle N domain-containing protein, and heat shock proteins. We also identified molecules related to parasite-host immune modulation and interactions. Our results may contribute to reveal potential roles of immunological proteins in parasite-derived immune modulation.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are found in diverse environments, such as soils, rivers, and seas. Hence, they can be used as bioindicators to assess the water quality based solely on their presence. In this study, we determined the presence of FLA in river water by filtering water samples collected from various sites and culturing the resulting filtrates. FLA were detected in all the water samples with varying quality grades (Grades Ι-V). The significant increase in the size of the amoebae population with the deterioration in the water quality. Monoxenic cultures of the amoebae were performed, and genomic DNAs were isolated, among which 18S rDNAs were sequenced to identify the amoeba species. Of the 12 species identified, 10 belonged to the Acanthamoeba genus; of the remaining 2 species, one was identified as Vannella croatica and the other as a species of Vermamoeba. Acanthamoeba was detected in samples with Grades Ι to VI quality, whereas the Vermamoeba species was present only in Grade Ι water. V. croatica was found exclusively in water with Grade ΙΙ quality. Following morphological observations, genomic DNA was sequenced using 16S rDNA to determine whether the species of Acanthamoeba harbored endosymbionts. Most of the isolated Acanthamoeba contained endosymbionts, among which 4 species of endogenous bacteria were identified and examined using transmission electron microscopy. This study provides evidence that the distribution of amoebae other than Acanthamoeba may be associated with water quality. However, further confirmation will be required based on accurate water quality ratings and assessments using a more diverse range of FLA.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated the population prevalence of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including unreported infections, through a Korea Seroprevalence Study of Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Retention and Transmission (K-SEROSMART) in 258 communities throughout Korea. METHODS: In August 2022, a survey was conducted among 10,000 household members aged 5 years and older, in households selected through two stage probability random sampling. During face-to-face household interviews, participants self-reported their health status, COVID-19 diagnosis and vaccination history, and general characteristics. Subsequently, participants visited a community health center or medical clinic for blood sampling. Blood samples were analyzed for the presence of antibodies to spike proteins (anti-S) and antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins (anti-N) SARS-CoV-2 proteins using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. To estimate the population prevalence, the PROC SURVEYMEANS statistical procedure was employed, with weighting to reflect demographic data from July 2022. RESULTS: In total, 9,945 individuals from 5,041 households were surveyed across 258 communities, representing all basic local governments in Korea. The overall population-adjusted prevalence rates of anti-S and anti-N were 97.6% and 57.1%, respectively. Since the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has reported a cumulative incidence of confirmed cases of 37.8% through July 31, 2022, the proportion of unreported infections among all COVID-19 infection was suggested to be 33.9%. CONCLUSIONS The K-SEROSMART represents the first nationwide, community-based seroepidemiologic survey of COVID-19, confirming that most individuals possess antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and that a significant number of unreported cases existed. Furthermore, this study lays the foundation for a surveillance system to continuously monitor transmission at the community level and the response to COVID-19.

Objectives: . Numerous minimally invasive thyroidectomy techniques have been developed and are actively utilized in hospitals around the globe. Herein, we describe a recently developed minimally invasive thyroidectomy technique that employs the da Vinci SP, and we present the preliminary clinical outcomes of single-port robotic areolar thyroidectomy (SPRA). Methods: . A 3-cm semi-circular incision on the right areola and a small 8-mm incision on the left areola were created. Using hydro-dissection and an advanced bipolar device, a subcutaneous skin flap was created, extending from the areola to the thyroid cartilage. The da Vinci SP was then inserted through the incision in the right areola. Between December 2022 and March 2023, 21 SPRA procedures were conducted. Patients’ medical records and surgical videos were subsequently reviewed. Results: . Lobectomy was performed in 17 patients, isthmectomy in 2 patients, and total thyroidectomy in 2 patients. The mean flap time was 14.9±4.2 minutes and the console time was 62.4±17.1 minutes. The mean tumor size was 0.89± 0.65 cm and the number of retrieved lymph nodes was 3.94±3.98 (range, 0–12). There were no observed instances of vocal cord palsy or hypoparathyroidism. Conclusion . We successfully developed and performed the novel SPRA for the first time worldwide. Unlike other robotic surgery methods, SPRA is less invasive and leaves no visible scars. This technique employs a sophisticated single-port robotic device. However, to assess the efficacy of this method, we need to analyze more cases and conduct comparative studies in the near future.