Viral load and the duration of viral shedding of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are important determinants of the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019.In this study, we examined the effects of viral doses on the lung and spleen of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice by temporal histological and transcriptional analyses. Approximately, 1×105 plaque-forming units (PFU) of SARS-CoV-2 induced strong host responses in the lungs from 2 days post inoculation (dpi) which did not recover until the mice died, whereas responses to the virus were obvious at 5 days, recovering to the basal state by 14 dpi at 1×102 PFU. Further, flow cytometry showed that number of CD8+ T cells continuously increased in 1×102 PFU-virusinfected lungs from 2 dpi, but not in 1×105 PFU-virus-infected lungs. In spleens, responses to the virus were prominent from 2 dpi, and number of B cells was significantly decreased at 1×105PFU; however, 1×102 PFU of virus induced very weak responses from 2 dpi which recovered by 10 dpi. Although the defense responses returned to normal and the mice survived, lung histology showed evidence of fibrosis, suggesting sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings indicate that specific effectors of the immune response in the lung and spleen were either increased or depleted in response to doses of SARS-CoV-2. This study demonstrated that the response of local and systemic immune effectors to a viral infection varies with viral dose, which either exacerbates the severity of the infection or accelerates its elimination.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related clinical outcomes between patients with and without gout. Electronic health recordbased data from two centers (Seoul National University Hospital [SNUH] and Boramae Medical Center [BMC]), from January 2021 to April 2022, were mapped to a common data model. Patients with and without gout were matched using a large-scale propensityscore algorithm based on population-level estimation methods. At the SNUH, the risk for COVID-19 diagnosis was not significantly different between patients with and without gout (hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59–1.84). Within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, no significant difference was observed in terms of hospitalization (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.03–3.90), severe outcomes (HR, 2.90; 95% CI, 0.54–13.71), or mortality (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.06–16.24). Similar results were obtained from the BMC database, suggesting that gout does not increase the risk for COVID-19 diagnosis or severe outcomes.

Background: As the number of large-scale studies involving multiple organizations producing data has steadily increased, an integrated system for a common interoperable format is needed. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of global efforts are underway to develop vaccines and therapeutics. We are therefore observing an explosion in the proliferation of COVID-19 data, and interoperability is highly requested in multiple institutions participating simultaneously in COVID-19 pandemic research. Results: In this study, a laboratory information management system (LIMS) approach has been adopted to systemically manage various COVID-19 non-clinical trial data, including mortality, clinical signs, body weight, body temperature, organ weights, viral titer (viral replication and viral RNA), and multiorgan histopathology, from multiple institutions based on a web interface. The main aim of the implemented system is to integrate, standardize, and organize data collected from laboratories in multiple institutes for COVID-19 non-clinical efficacy testings. Six animal biosafety level 3 institutions proved the feasibility of our system. Substantial benefits were shown by maximizing collaborative high-quality non-clinical research. Conclusions This LIMS platform can be used for future outbreaks, leading to accelerated medical product development through the systematic management of extensive data from non-clinical animal studies.

Purpose: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) have been considered effective in preventing and treating viral infections. However, until now, the duration and clinical implications of antibody-mediated nature immunity in Koreans have remained unknown.Therefore, we examined NAbs levels and clinical characteristics in recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 143 adult patients who had been diagnosed with and had recovered from COVID-19 from February to March in 2020 at a tertiary-care university-affiliated hospital in Daegu, Korea. A plaque reduction neutralization test was conducted to analyze NAb titers. Individualized questionnaires were used to identify patient clinical information. Results: The median number of days from symptom onset to the blood collection date was 109.0 (104.0; 115.0). The NAb titers ranged from 10 to 2560. The median NAb titer value was 40. Of the 143 patients, 68 (47.6%) patients had NAb titers ≥80, and 31 (21.7%) patients had NAb titers ≥160. The higher the age or disease severity, the higher the NAb titer. In univariate logistic regression, statistically significant predictors of high NAb titers (≥80) were age, myalgia, nausea or vomiting, dyspnea, and disease severity (p<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that age ≥50 years (p=0.013) and moderate or higher disease severity (p<0.001) were factors associated with high NAb titers (≥80). None of the patients had reinfection of COVID-19. Conclusion All recovered patients were found to have NAbs regardless of the NAb titers maintained by natural immunity. Age and disease severity during COVID-19 infection were associated with high NAb titers.

Purpose: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) have been considered effective in preventing and treating viral infections. However, until now, the duration and clinical implications of antibody-mediated nature immunity in Koreans have remained unknown.Therefore, we examined NAbs levels and clinical characteristics in recovered coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 143 adult patients who had been diagnosed with and had recovered from COVID-19 from February to March in 2020 at a tertiary-care university-affiliated hospital in Daegu, Korea. A plaque reduction neutralization test was conducted to analyze NAb titers. Individualized questionnaires were used to identify patient clinical information. Results: The median number of days from symptom onset to the blood collection date was 109.0 (104.0; 115.0). The NAb titers ranged from 10 to 2560. The median NAb titer value was 40. Of the 143 patients, 68 (47.6%) patients had NAb titers ≥80, and 31 (21.7%) patients had NAb titers ≥160. The higher the age or disease severity, the higher the NAb titer. In univariate logistic regression, statistically significant predictors of high NAb titers (≥80) were age, myalgia, nausea or vomiting, dyspnea, and disease severity (p<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression showed that age ≥50 years (p=0.013) and moderate or higher disease severity (p<0.001) were factors associated with high NAb titers (≥80). None of the patients had reinfection of COVID-19. Conclusion All recovered patients were found to have NAbs regardless of the NAb titers maintained by natural immunity. Age and disease severity during COVID-19 infection were associated with high NAb titers.

OBJECTIVES: The usability of clinical information systems (CISs) is known to be an essential consideration in ensuring patient safety as well as integrating clinical flow. This study aimed to determine how usability and safety guidelines of CIS consider clinical workflow through a systematic review in terms of the target systems, methodology, and guideline components of relevant articles. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for articles published from 2000 to 2015 in PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement method was employed. Articles containing recommendations, principles, and evaluation items for CIS usability and safety were included. The selected articles were classified according to article type, methodology, and target systems. Taking clinical workflow into consideration, the components of guidelines were extracted and classified. RESULTS: A total of 7,401 articles were identified by keyword search. From the 76 articles remaining after abstract screening, 15 were selected through full-text review. Literature review (n = 7) was the most common methodology, followed by expert opinions (n = 6). Computerized physician order entry (n = 6) was the most frequent system. Four articles considered the entire process of clinical tasks, and two articles considered the principles of the entire process of user interface affecting clinical workflow. Only two articles performed heuristic evaluations of CISs. CONCLUSIONS: The usability and safety guidelines of CISs need improvement in guideline development methodology and with consideration of clinical workflow.
Expert Testimony ; Heuristics ; Hospital Information Systems ; Information Systems* ; Mass Screening ; Medical Order Entry Systems ; Methods ; Patient Safety ; User-Computer Interface

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study is to assess the spectrum of genetic variation in the BRIP1 gene among Korean high-risk breast cancer patients who tested negative for the BRCA1/2 mutation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 235 Korean patientswith BRCA1/2 mutation-negative high-risk breast cancerwere screened for BRIP1 mutations. The entire BRIP1 gene was analyzed using fluorescent-conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis. In silico analysis of BRIP1 variants was performed using PolyPhen-2 and SIFT. RESULTS: A total of 20 sequence alterations including 12 exonic and eight intronic variantswere found. Among the 12 exonic variants, 10 were missense and two were silent mutations. No protein-truncating mutation was found among the tested patients. Among the 10 missense variants, four (p.L263F, p.L340F, p.L474P, and p.R848H) were predicted to be pathogenic by both PolyPhen-2 and SIFT, and these variants were found in five patients. Of the four missense variants, p.L263F, p.L474P, and p.R848H localize to regions between the helicase motifs, while p.L340F resides in an iron-sulfur domain of BRIP1. CONCLUSION: No protein-truncating mutation in BRIP1 was found among the tested patients. The contribution of BRIP1 variants is thought to be minor in Korean non-BRCA1/2 high-risk breast cancer.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Computer Simulation ; Electrophoresis ; Exons ; Genetic Variation ; Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome ; Humans ; Introns ; Korea ; Silent Mutation

During a Korean mushroom diversity survey from 2011 to 2014, we found one new Xylaria species (X. ripicola sp. nov.) and one Xylaria species that had not been previously observed in Korea (X. tentaculata). To confirm the phylogenetic placement of the new species, we conducted a phylogenetic investigation based on internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal DNA sequences. Additionally, the new species, X. ripicola, was subsequently analyzed for RNA polymerase II subunit sequences. We also evaluated the macroscopic and microscopic features of this species. Herein, X. ripicola is described as a new species that was collected from a natural beach habitat and X. tentaculata is formally reported as newly found in Korea.
Agaricales ; Ascomycota ; Classification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Ecosystem ; Korea* ; Phylogeny ; RNA Polymerase II

Ciliary rootlet coiled coil protein (CROCC), the structural component that originates from the basal body at the proximal end of the ciliary rootlet, plays a crucial role in maintaining the cellular integrity of ciliated cells. In the current study, we cloned Xenopus CROCC and performed the expression analysis. The amino acid sequence of Xenopus laevis was related to those of Drosophila, cow, goat, horse, chicken, mouse and human. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that CROCC mRNA encoding a coiled coil protein was present maternally, as well as throughout early development. In situ hybridization indicated that CROCC mRNA occurred in the animal pole of embryo during gastrulation and subsequently in the presumptive neuroectoderm at the end of gastrulation. At tailbud stages, CROCC mRNA expression was localized in the anterior roof plate of the developing brain, pharyngeal epithelium connected to gills, esophagus, olfactory placode, intestine and nephrostomes of the pronephric kidney. Our study suggests that CROCC may be responsible for control of the development of various ciliated organs.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Basal Bodies ; Brain ; Chickens ; Clone Cells ; Drosophila ; Embryonic Structures ; Epithelium ; Esophagus ; Gastrulation ; Gills ; Goats ; Horses ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Intestines ; Kidney ; Mice ; Neural Plate ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger* ; Xenopus laevis ; Xenopus*

We conducted five times surveys, in June, September and October in 2012; June and September 2013, to catalog the mushroom flora in Ulleung-gun, Republic of Korea. More than 400 specimens were collected, and 317 of the specimens were successfully sequenced using the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer barcode marker. We also surveyed the morphological characteristics of the sequenced specimens. The specimens were classified into 2 phyla, 7 classes, 21 orders, 59 families, 122 genera, and 221 species, and were deposited in the herbarium of Korea National Arboretum. Among the collected species, 72% were saprophytic, 25% were symbiotic, and 3% were parasitic. The most common order was Agaricales (189 specimens, 132 species), followed by Polyporales (47 specimens, 27 species), Russulales (31 specimens, 22 species), Boletales (10 specimens, 7 species), and so on. Herein, we also reported the first Bovista species in Korea, which was collected from Dokdo, the far-eastern island of Korea.
Agaricales* ; DNA, Ribosomal ; Humans ; Korea ; Polyporales ; Republic of Korea*