Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. However, data regarding UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients compared with those in transplant recipients are limited. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and outcomes of UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients with those in transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with UGI CMV disease between May 1999 and January 2022. UGI CMV disease was defined as symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal disease with typical findings of CMV inclusion body and positive immunochemistry stain or CMV polymerase chain reaction from the endoscopic biopsy specimen. Results: Among the 219 eligible patients, 132 (60.3%) were transplant patients. Age, male sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher in the non-transplant group than in the transplant group. The most common symptoms were pain and odynophagia (43.8%). Transplant recipients more frequently experienced UGI CMV disease in the stomach than non-transplant patients, typically presenting as erosions or mucosal hyperemia. However, non-transplant patients more commonly experienced UGI CMV disease in the esophagus than transplant recipients, typically presenting as ulcers. The transplant group had a significantly higher clinical response than the non-transplant group. Conclusions UGI CMV disease in transplant patients can be present in the stomach in various forms, including ulcers or erosions. In transplant patients suspected of UGI CMV disease, conducting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tissue biopsy in any area where even the slightest mucosal abnormality is observed is essential to facilitate a prompt diagnosis.

Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. However, data regarding UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients compared with those in transplant recipients are limited. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and outcomes of UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients with those in transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with UGI CMV disease between May 1999 and January 2022. UGI CMV disease was defined as symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal disease with typical findings of CMV inclusion body and positive immunochemistry stain or CMV polymerase chain reaction from the endoscopic biopsy specimen. Results: Among the 219 eligible patients, 132 (60.3%) were transplant patients. Age, male sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher in the non-transplant group than in the transplant group. The most common symptoms were pain and odynophagia (43.8%). Transplant recipients more frequently experienced UGI CMV disease in the stomach than non-transplant patients, typically presenting as erosions or mucosal hyperemia. However, non-transplant patients more commonly experienced UGI CMV disease in the esophagus than transplant recipients, typically presenting as ulcers. The transplant group had a significantly higher clinical response than the non-transplant group. Conclusions UGI CMV disease in transplant patients can be present in the stomach in various forms, including ulcers or erosions. In transplant patients suspected of UGI CMV disease, conducting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tissue biopsy in any area where even the slightest mucosal abnormality is observed is essential to facilitate a prompt diagnosis.

Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. However, data regarding UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients compared with those in transplant recipients are limited. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and outcomes of UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients with those in transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with UGI CMV disease between May 1999 and January 2022. UGI CMV disease was defined as symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal disease with typical findings of CMV inclusion body and positive immunochemistry stain or CMV polymerase chain reaction from the endoscopic biopsy specimen. Results: Among the 219 eligible patients, 132 (60.3%) were transplant patients. Age, male sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher in the non-transplant group than in the transplant group. The most common symptoms were pain and odynophagia (43.8%). Transplant recipients more frequently experienced UGI CMV disease in the stomach than non-transplant patients, typically presenting as erosions or mucosal hyperemia. However, non-transplant patients more commonly experienced UGI CMV disease in the esophagus than transplant recipients, typically presenting as ulcers. The transplant group had a significantly higher clinical response than the non-transplant group. Conclusions UGI CMV disease in transplant patients can be present in the stomach in various forms, including ulcers or erosions. In transplant patients suspected of UGI CMV disease, conducting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tissue biopsy in any area where even the slightest mucosal abnormality is observed is essential to facilitate a prompt diagnosis.

Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. However, data regarding UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients compared with those in transplant recipients are limited. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and outcomes of UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients with those in transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with UGI CMV disease between May 1999 and January 2022. UGI CMV disease was defined as symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal disease with typical findings of CMV inclusion body and positive immunochemistry stain or CMV polymerase chain reaction from the endoscopic biopsy specimen. Results: Among the 219 eligible patients, 132 (60.3%) were transplant patients. Age, male sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher in the non-transplant group than in the transplant group. The most common symptoms were pain and odynophagia (43.8%). Transplant recipients more frequently experienced UGI CMV disease in the stomach than non-transplant patients, typically presenting as erosions or mucosal hyperemia. However, non-transplant patients more commonly experienced UGI CMV disease in the esophagus than transplant recipients, typically presenting as ulcers. The transplant group had a significantly higher clinical response than the non-transplant group. Conclusions UGI CMV disease in transplant patients can be present in the stomach in various forms, including ulcers or erosions. In transplant patients suspected of UGI CMV disease, conducting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tissue biopsy in any area where even the slightest mucosal abnormality is observed is essential to facilitate a prompt diagnosis.

Background/Aims: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract frequently occurs in immunocompromised patients. However, data regarding UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients compared with those in transplant recipients are limited. Therefore, we compared the clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, and outcomes of UGI CMV disease in non-transplant patients with those in transplant recipients. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with UGI CMV disease between May 1999 and January 2022. UGI CMV disease was defined as symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal disease with typical findings of CMV inclusion body and positive immunochemistry stain or CMV polymerase chain reaction from the endoscopic biopsy specimen. Results: Among the 219 eligible patients, 132 (60.3%) were transplant patients. Age, male sex, and Charlson Comorbidity Index were significantly higher in the non-transplant group than in the transplant group. The most common symptoms were pain and odynophagia (43.8%). Transplant recipients more frequently experienced UGI CMV disease in the stomach than non-transplant patients, typically presenting as erosions or mucosal hyperemia. However, non-transplant patients more commonly experienced UGI CMV disease in the esophagus than transplant recipients, typically presenting as ulcers. The transplant group had a significantly higher clinical response than the non-transplant group. Conclusions UGI CMV disease in transplant patients can be present in the stomach in various forms, including ulcers or erosions. In transplant patients suspected of UGI CMV disease, conducting an esophagogastroduodenoscopy with tissue biopsy in any area where even the slightest mucosal abnormality is observed is essential to facilitate a prompt diagnosis.

Background: Urinalysis, an essential diagnostic tool, faces challenges in terms of standardization and accuracy. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) with mobile technology can potentially solve these challenges. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness and accuracy of an AI-based program in automatically interpreting urine test strips using mobile phone cameras, an approach that may revolutionize point-of-care testing. Methods: We developed novel urine test strips and an AI algorithm for image capture.Sample images from the Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital were collected to train a k-nearest neighbor classification algorithm to read the strips. A mobile application was developed for image capturing and processing. We assessed the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and ROC area under the curve for 10 parameters. Results: In total, 2,612 urine test strip images were collected. The AI algorithm demonstrated 98.7% accuracy in detecting urinary nitrite and 97.3% accuracy in detecting urinary glucose. The sensitivity and specificity were high for most parameters. However, this system could not reliably determine the specific gravity. The optimal time for capturing the test strip results was 75 secs after dipping. Conclusions The AI-based program accurately interpreted urine test strips using smartphone cameras, offering an accessible and efficient method for urinalysis. This system can be used for immediate analysis and remote testing. Further research is warranted to refine test parameters such as specific gravity to enhance accuracy and reliability.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.

Background: Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are widely used in clinical settings, aiding in the prevention of infectious diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the performance of RATs that can simultaneously diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Influenza A/B viruses. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the performance of a newly developed RAT that can detect all three pathogens at once, to assess its potential for clinical application. Methods: Clinical performance testing was conducted using 436 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from patients with suspected respiratory infections. The newly developed RAT was compared with realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) results to evaluate clinical sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, concordance with two previously approved products was assessed. Results: For patients who tested positive with rRT-PCR, the detection sensitivity of the newly developed INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test was 90.91% for SARS-CoV-2, 97.75% for Influenza A, and 93.00% for Influenza B, with a specificity of 100% for all three pathogens. In the concordance assessment with the existing RATs, the agreement was 99.76% (κ=0.9922) for SARS-CoV-2, 99.76% (κ=0.9927) for Influenza A, and 99.76% (κ=0.9930) for Influenza B. Compared to the existing RATs, all showed a concordance with κ >0.8. Conclusions The INCLIX TRF COVID-19 & Flu A/B Ag test efficiently detected antigens of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B viruses simultaneously within a short testing time of 15 minutes. Therefore, this test method, with its high sensitivity and specificity, will be highly useful for diagnosing viral infections in clinical settings.

Objective: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic’s social isolation has significantly impacted mental health, increasing depression and anxiety. This study explores the effects of social isolation on both humans and mice, focusing on behavioral changes and hippocampal protein expression. It also investigates genetic alterations through single-cell RNA and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Methods: Here we conducted behavioral studies, protein expression studies, single-nucleus sequencing (snRNAseq), and WGS of the hippocampus of mice that underwent early maternal separation and social isolation, and a demographic study of community populations who had been self-quarantined owing to COVID-19 exposure to investigate the link between somatic mutations and stress due to social isolation. Results: The demographic study demonstrated more negative mental health findings among individuals who live alone or are single. Mice subjected to early maternal separation and social isolation demonstrated increased anxiety-like behaviors and stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1, and neurogenesis-related sex-determining region Y-box 2 and doublecortin expression. In snRNA-seq, differences, such as transthyretin increase, were observed in the maternal separation group, and somatic mutations, including insertion in the intron site of Tmem267, were observed in the social isolation group on WGS. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that stress, such as social isolation, can cause changes at the genetic level, as well as behavioral and brain protein changes.