The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in neuroprotection, and we have previously demonstrated BDNF-mediated neuroprotective effects in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). The present study aimed to investigate whether BDNF-overexpressing MSCs enhance the therapeutic efficacy of naïve MSCs in a preclinical model of severe neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). We exposed primary rat neuronal cells to 40 U of thrombin overnight in vitro. Subsequently, the neuronal cells were co-cultured with either naïve MSCs or BDNF-overexpressing MSCs (1×105 cells in 1 mL media) for 24 hours. Next, 300 μL of maternal blood was injected into bilateral ventricles on postnatal day (P)4 to induce severe IVH in newborn Sprague-Dawley male rats. At P6, either naïve MSCs or BDNF-overexpressing MSCs (1×105 cells in 10 μL saline) were transplanted intraventricularly. Behavioral function tests, including passive avoidance, followed by endpoint analyses of brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid were performed at P35. BDNF-overexpressing MSCs enhanced the effects of naïve MSCs against cell death, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress in vitro. Notably, naïve and BDNF-overexpressing MSCs did not attenuate post-hemorrhagic ventricular dilatation, neuronal cell death, or gliosis. However, BDNF-overexpressing MSCs attenuated microglial activation.Furthermore, inflammatory cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) levels and memory function assessed using a passive avoidance test significantly improved in the BDNF-overexpressing MSC transplanted group compared with the naïve MSC transplanted group. Our data suggest that BDNF-overexpressing MSCs may offer superior protective effects to naïve MSCs in a neonatal IVH model.

Mutational dysphonia, a condition in which a pre-adolescent voice persists into adulthood, can significantly impact personal and professional life but is treatable with voice therapy. A patient with mutational dysphonia usually has a voice that is weak, breathy, or diplophonic, often classified as a “falsetto” voice. In this case report, we present a 20-year-old male who had a typical voice of a boy before adolescence, making it difficult to diagnose as mutational dysphonia. After voice therapy, he successfully gained his post-adolescent voice, highlighting the importance of thorough diagnosis and personalized treatment for mutational dysphonia.

Mutational dysphonia, a condition in which a pre-adolescent voice persists into adulthood, can significantly impact personal and professional life but is treatable with voice therapy. A patient with mutational dysphonia usually has a voice that is weak, breathy, or diplophonic, often classified as a “falsetto” voice. In this case report, we present a 20-year-old male who had a typical voice of a boy before adolescence, making it difficult to diagnose as mutational dysphonia. After voice therapy, he successfully gained his post-adolescent voice, highlighting the importance of thorough diagnosis and personalized treatment for mutational dysphonia.

Background: Primary cutaneous CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders (pcCD30-LPDs) are a diseases with various clinical and prognostic characteristics. Objective: Increasing our knowledge of the clinical characteristics of pcCD30-LPDs and identifying potential prognostic variables in an Asian population. Methods: Clinicopathological features and survival data of pcCD30-LPD cases obtained from 22 hospitals in South Korea were examined. Results: A total of 413 cases of pcCD30-LPDs (lymphomatoid papulosis [LYP], n=237; primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma [C-ALCL], n=176) were included. Ninety percent of LYP patients and roughly 50% of C-ALCL patients presented with multiple skin lesions. Both LYP and C-ALCL affected the lower limbs most frequently. Multiplicity and advanced T stage of LYP lesions were associated with a chronic course longer than 6 months. Clinical morphology with patch lesions and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase were significantly associated with LPDs during follow-up in LYP patients. Extracutaneous involvement of C-ALCL occurred in 13.2% of patients. Lesions larger than 5 cm and increased serum lactate dehydrogenase were associated with a poor prognosis in C-ALCL. The survival of patients with C-ALCL was unaffected by the anatomical locations of skin lesions or other pathological factors. Conclusion The multiplicity or size of skin lesions was associated with a chronic course of LYP and survival among patients with C-ALCL.

Mutational dysphonia, a condition in which a pre-adolescent voice persists into adulthood, can significantly impact personal and professional life but is treatable with voice therapy. A patient with mutational dysphonia usually has a voice that is weak, breathy, or diplophonic, often classified as a “falsetto” voice. In this case report, we present a 20-year-old male who had a typical voice of a boy before adolescence, making it difficult to diagnose as mutational dysphonia. After voice therapy, he successfully gained his post-adolescent voice, highlighting the importance of thorough diagnosis and personalized treatment for mutational dysphonia.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes and poses a significant public health concern. JEV is classified into 5 genotypes (G1–G5). Since 2010, JEV genotype 5 (G5) has been predominant in the Republic of Korea; however, a specific antigen for hemagglutination (HA) inhibition (HI) assays has been lacking. This study aimed to develop a novel antigen to enable genotype-specific HI antibody detection for JEV G5. The Sangju strain of JEV G5 was serially passaged 30 times in Vero and C6/36 cells, resulting in Sangju-30, which exhibited 2 envelope protein mutations and an HA titer of 8, increasing to 512 following polyethylene glycol 8000 concentration. The antigen demonstrated a strong correlation (R = 0.95, p < 0.05, 95% confidence interval, 6.3–31.9) with HI antibody levels in pig sera. These findings suggest that the Sangju-30 antigen is a viable alternative for JEV G5 serological monitoring, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and offering a replacement for traditional murine-derived antigen production.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is usually prescribed with a reduced fixed dose in Asian kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). However, the clinical efficacy and safety of the fixed dose have not yet been investigated via therapeutic drug monitoring. We evaluated whether reduced fixed-dose MMF is an optimal dosing strategy to achieve the therapeutic target of mycophenolic acid (MPA) exposure in Korean KTRs. Methods: This open-label, prospective study enrolled 50 de novo KTRs prescribed with tacrolimus, corticosteroid, and fixed-dose MMF (1.0–1.5 g/day). The trough level (C0) and area under the curve (AUC0–12 hr) of MPA were measured at 1 and 24 weeks after kidney transplantation (KT). The relationship of body weight (BW)-adjusted MMF dose with MPA C0 and MPA AUC0–12 hr was assessed using linear regression analysis. Results: The initial fixed dose of MMF of 1.44 ± 0.16 g/day was adjusted in 24 patients (48.0%) and then reduced to a mean dose of 1.19 ± 0.31 g/day at 24 weeks after KT. Most patients (≥84.0%) attained the minimum required MPA C0 of 1.0 μg/mL and MPA AUC0–12 hr of 30 μg × hr/mL at 1 and 24 weeks. The BW-adjusted MMF dose demonstrated significant positive correlations with MPA C0 and MPA AUC0– 12 hr at 1 and 24 weeks after KT. Moreover, 14 patients (28.0%) reported MPA-related adverse events that were predictable based on MPA AUC0–12 hr (cutoff level, 46.4 μg × hr/mL). Conclusion: The current reduced fixed-dose MMF strategy can help achieve the therapeutic target of MPA exposure in tacrolimus- treated Korean KTRs during the early posttransplant period.

Canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2) is a common causative agent of respiratory disease in canines. There have been no reports of CAV-2 variants isolated from raccoon dogs. This study aims to investigate the biological and genetic characteristics of a novel Korean CAV-2 variant. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were used to isolate the CAV-2 variant from 45 fecal swab samples. Diagnostic tools such as the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, electron microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence and hemagglutination assays were used to confirm the presence of the CAV-2 isolate. A cross-virus neutralization assay was performed to verify the novelty of this CAV variant. Genetic analysis was performed using nucleotide sequences obtained through next-generation sequencing. The isolate was confirmed to be a CAV-2 variant based on the aforementioned methods and designated CAV2232. The number of bases in the fiber and E3 genes of CAV2232 were 1,626 and 414, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the fiber and E3 genes confirmed that CAV2232 was classified into a different clade from the known CAV-1 and CAV-2 strains. Mice inoculated with the CAV2232 vaccine developed high virus neutralization antibody titers of 1,024 (210) against CAV2232, while mice inoculated with CAV-1 and CAV-2 vaccines had low virus neutralization antibody titers of 12.9 (23.7) and 6.5 (22.7), respectively, against CAV2232. CAV2232 isolated from wild raccoon dog feces was classified as a novel CAV-2 variant. CAV2232 may therefore be used as an antigen for new vaccine development and serological investigations.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne virus that can infect pigs, horses, and other mammals, including humans. Sero-epidemiological investigations of JEV have been performed using hemagglutination inhibition (HI), virus neutralization (VN) tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A need exists for a new ELISA that can detect JEV antibodies in the sera of several animal species. We aimed to develop a blocking ELISA (B-ELISA) for detecting JEV antibodies in pig and horse serum samples. JEV antibodies in 218 pig and 315 horse serum samples were measured using HI and VN tests. The purified KV1899-306 strain was used as an antigen for B-ELISA. The purified antibody (7A13) was conjugated with horseradish peroxidase and used as a detector antibody. The sera of pigs and horses to measure antibody against JEV were subjected to B-ELISA and analyzed. The B-ELISA had a diagnostic sensitivity of 94.6% to 100%, a specificity of 91.2 to 100%, and an accuracy of 94.9 to 98.6% compared with those of the HI and VN tests in pig and horse sera. The B-ELISA had a higher correlation with pig sera (r = 0.89 and 0.90 for VN and HI) than with horse sera (r = 0.75 and to 0.79). The new B-ELISA could be useful in the sero-surveillance of JEV in pig and horse sera and replace indirect ELISA.