Natural killer (NK) cells play critical roles in immune surveillance and homeostasis maintenance through cytotoxicity and cytokine release. The ability of NK cells to eliminate target cells without the need for prior antigen recognition or antibody involvement has drawn considerable attention for translational and clinical applications. As clinical applications continue to broaden, interest in NK cell assays has been growing markedly. This review provides an in-depth discussion of current clinical applications of NK cell assays, including NK cell phenotype, frequency, and functional activity assessments. This review further highlights the diagnostic potential of these assays in terms of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and potential NK cell biomarker candidates in diverse pathological contexts, such as cancer, infection, autoimmune diseases, and other diseases. By integrating clinical insights with technological advancements, NK cell assays can serve as valuable tools for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring.

We report the first identification in Korea of the rare ABO*AW31.02-05 allele in a patient with an ABO discrepancy.Forward ABO typing demonstrated a clear B phenotype, whereas reverse typing showed no agglutination. Molecular analysis revealed an ABO*AW31.02-05/B.01 genotype. In silico prediction using PolyPhen-2 and SIFT indicated that both amino acid substitutions (p.Phe216Ile and p.Val277Met) were deleterious, consistent with markedly reduced A-transferase activity. This case highlights the value of genotyping and in silico prediction in identifying the causative allele and clarifying ABO discrepancies.

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

Background: We aimed to examine the prevalence of burnout among imaging cardiologists in Korea and to identify its associated factors. Methods: An online survey of imaging cardiologists affiliated with university hospitals in Korea was conducted using SurveyMonkey ® in November 2023. The validated Korean version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Service Survey was used to assess burnout across three dimensions: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment. Data on demographics, work environment factors, and job satisfaction were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: A total of 128 imaging cardiologists (46.1% men; 76.6% aged ≤ 50 years) participated in the survey. Regarding workload, 74.2% of the respondents interpreted over 50 echocardiographic examinations daily, and 53.2% allocated > 5 of 10 working sessions per week to echocardiographic laboratory duties. Burnout levels were high, with a significant proportion of participants experiencing emotional exhaustion (28.1%), depersonalization (63.3%), and a lack of personal accomplishment (92.2%). Younger age (< 50 years) was correlated with higher emotional exhaustion risk, while more research time was protective against burnout in the depersonalization domain. Factors, such as being single, living with family, and specific job satisfaction facets, including uncontrollable workload and value mismatch, were associated with varying levels of burnout risk across different dimensions Conclusion Our study underscores the high burnout rates among Korean imaging cardiologists, attributed to factors such as the subjective environment and job satisfaction.Hence, evaluating and supporting cardiologists in terms of individual values and subjective factors are important to effectively prevent burnout..

A 10-year-old spayed female Maltese presented with purpura and hematemesis. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, but evidence of hemolytic anemia was not identified. Three milligrams of human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) was administered for 3 hours following prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. A pale mucous membrane was identified, and the packed cell volume decreased by 3%. Blood film examination revealed significant spherocytosis with auto-agglutination. Blood transfusions and immunosuppression were continued for 4 days, and hIVIG was discontinued. This report describes a case of increased immune-mediated hemolysis after hIVIG administration, possibly due to new-onset immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or enhanced immunogenicity.

Peritoneal lymphomatosis (PL) is a rare lymphoid neoplasm in dogs. A nine-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever presented with pleural and peritoneal effusions. Diagnostic imaging revealed diffuse nodular to massive lesions in the mesentery, particularly in the caudal abdomen. While the superficial lymph nodes did not show significant changes, enlargement was observed in the intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic lymph nodes. Cytological and flow cytometric analyses of the effusion indicated the presence of large B-cell lymphocytes expressing CD3-/CD5-/CD14-/CD21-/CD34+/CD45+/CD79a+. PL was diagnosed using diagnostic imaging and fluid analysis. This case report highlights the clinical and diagnostic features of canine PL.

Liver fibrosis is part of the wound healing process to help the liver recover from the injuries caused by various liver-damaging insults. However, liver fibrosis often progresses to life-threatening cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To overcome the limitations of current in vivo liver fibrosis models for studying the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and establishing effective treatment strategies, we developed a new mouse model of liver fibrosis using polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a humidifier sterilizer known to induce lung fibrosis in humans. Male C57/BL6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PHMG-p (0.03% and 0.1%) twice a week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, liver tissues were examined histologically and RNA-sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of key genes and pathways affected by PHMG-p. PHMG-p injection resulted in body weight loss of ~15% and worsening of physical condition. Necropsy revealed diffuse fibrotic lesions in the liver with no effect on the lungs. Histology, collagen staining, immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and collagen, and polymerase chain reaction analysis of fibrotic genes revealed that PHMG-p induced liver fibrosis in the peri-central, peri-portal, and capsule regions. RNA-sequencing revealed that PHMG-p affected several pathways associated with human liver fibrosis, especially with upregulation of lumican and IRAK3, and downregulation of GSTp1 and GSTp2, which are closely involved in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Collectively we demonstrated that the PHMG-p-induced liver fibrosis model can be employed to study human liver fibrosis.

Background: Non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy is associated with adverse obstetric and fetal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women who underwent non-obstetric pelvic surgery during pregnancy compared with that of women that did not undergo surgery. Methods: Study data from women who gave birth in Korea were collected from the Korea National Health Insurance claims database between 2006 and 2016. We identified pregnant women who underwent abdominal non-obstetric pelvic surgery by laparoscopy or laparotomy from the database. Pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW), cesarean section (C/S), gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and postpartum hemorrhage were identified. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the pregnancy outcomes were estimated by multivariate regression models. Results: Data from 4,439,778 women were collected for this study. From 2006–2016, 9,417 women from the initial cohort underwent non-obstetric pelvic surgery (adnexal mass resection, appendectomy) during pregnancy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that preterm birth (HR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.81–2.23), LBW (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.46– 1.79), C/S (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08–1.18), and gestational hypertension (HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18–1.55) were significantly more frequent in women who underwent non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy compared to pregnant women who did not undergo surgery. When the laparoscopic and laparotomy groups were compared for risk of fetal outcomes, the risk of LBW was significantly decreased in laparoscopic adnexal resection during pregnancy compared to laparotomy (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40–0.95). Conclusion Non-obstetric pelvic surgery during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of preterm birth, LBW, gestational hypertension, placenta previa, placental abruption, and C/S. Although the benefits and safety of laparoscopy during pregnancy appear similar to those of laparotomy in regard to pregnancy outcomes, laparoscopic adnexal mass resection was associated with a lower risk of LBW.