Objective: Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern. Extensive research has established a critical link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer. As a result, high-risk HPV (Hr-HPV) testing has emerged as a promising screening method. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of Hr-HPV genotypes among women in three regions of Uzbekistan. Methods: Between 2021 and 2023, the Research Institute of Virology of Uzbekistan and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare conducted a comprehensive population-based study in Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand. The study targeted 43,921 women aged 20 and above, utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of 12 HrHPV genotypes. The analysis included an examination of the distribution of these genotypes based on age, region, and various demographic factors. Results: The overall prevalence of Hr-HPV among women aged 20 and above in Uzbekistan was 7.4%. Regional variations were observed and Hr-HPV prevalence was higher in individuals in their 20s than in other age groups in all 3 regions (p<0.001). The proportion of HPV 16 and 18 was 32.5% and 6.4% in the single infections, 41.9% and 14.7% in the double infections, and 59.3% and 20.0% in the multiple infections. There were also significant differences in prevalence across demographic factors, such as marital status, parity, current smoking, and contraceptive method (p<0.005). Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance of early screening and educational initiatives, particularly targeting young and co-infected women. This foundational data aims to improve women's health strategies in Uzbekistan.

Objective: Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern. Extensive research has established a critical link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer. As a result, high-risk HPV (Hr-HPV) testing has emerged as a promising screening method. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of Hr-HPV genotypes among women in three regions of Uzbekistan. Methods: Between 2021 and 2023, the Research Institute of Virology of Uzbekistan and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare conducted a comprehensive population-based study in Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand. The study targeted 43,921 women aged 20 and above, utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of 12 HrHPV genotypes. The analysis included an examination of the distribution of these genotypes based on age, region, and various demographic factors. Results: The overall prevalence of Hr-HPV among women aged 20 and above in Uzbekistan was 7.4%. Regional variations were observed and Hr-HPV prevalence was higher in individuals in their 20s than in other age groups in all 3 regions (p<0.001). The proportion of HPV 16 and 18 was 32.5% and 6.4% in the single infections, 41.9% and 14.7% in the double infections, and 59.3% and 20.0% in the multiple infections. There were also significant differences in prevalence across demographic factors, such as marital status, parity, current smoking, and contraceptive method (p<0.005). Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance of early screening and educational initiatives, particularly targeting young and co-infected women. This foundational data aims to improve women's health strategies in Uzbekistan.

Objective: Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern. Extensive research has established a critical link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of cervical cancer. As a result, high-risk HPV (Hr-HPV) testing has emerged as a promising screening method. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of Hr-HPV genotypes among women in three regions of Uzbekistan. Methods: Between 2021 and 2023, the Research Institute of Virology of Uzbekistan and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare conducted a comprehensive population-based study in Tashkent, Andijan, and Samarkand. The study targeted 43,921 women aged 20 and above, utilizing real-time polymerase chain reaction to investigate the prevalence of 12 HrHPV genotypes. The analysis included an examination of the distribution of these genotypes based on age, region, and various demographic factors. Results: The overall prevalence of Hr-HPV among women aged 20 and above in Uzbekistan was 7.4%. Regional variations were observed and Hr-HPV prevalence was higher in individuals in their 20s than in other age groups in all 3 regions (p<0.001). The proportion of HPV 16 and 18 was 32.5% and 6.4% in the single infections, 41.9% and 14.7% in the double infections, and 59.3% and 20.0% in the multiple infections. There were also significant differences in prevalence across demographic factors, such as marital status, parity, current smoking, and contraceptive method (p<0.005). Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance of early screening and educational initiatives, particularly targeting young and co-infected women. This foundational data aims to improve women's health strategies in Uzbekistan.

Epiglottis abnormality is rare condition and can lead embarrassing intubation to anesthesiologists. Here, we reported a case of successful management in a patient with unexpected hidden vocal cords due to epiglottis adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity. Case: A 60-year-old female with no underlying disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo a left-cochlear implant operation. After the induction procedure (including intravenous injection of rocuronium), an epiglottic adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity and invisible vocal cords were confirmed. Although the first trial of intubation failed, the patient’s airway was successfully managed using a technique that combined a video-styletscope (Markstein Sichtec Medical Co., 5.0 mm ID) with a video-laryngoscope (Insighters ®, Cedrus Medical). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists may unexpectedly encounter asymptomatic abnormal airways with unknown causes. In such a situation, it is essential to establish a strategy and to select appropriate device according to patient circumstances.

Epiglottis abnormality is rare condition and can lead embarrassing intubation to anesthesiologists. Here, we reported a case of successful management in a patient with unexpected hidden vocal cords due to epiglottis adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity. Case: A 60-year-old female with no underlying disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo a left-cochlear implant operation. After the induction procedure (including intravenous injection of rocuronium), an epiglottic adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity and invisible vocal cords were confirmed. Although the first trial of intubation failed, the patient’s airway was successfully managed using a technique that combined a video-styletscope (Markstein Sichtec Medical Co., 5.0 mm ID) with a video-laryngoscope (Insighters ®, Cedrus Medical). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists may unexpectedly encounter asymptomatic abnormal airways with unknown causes. In such a situation, it is essential to establish a strategy and to select appropriate device according to patient circumstances.

Epiglottis abnormality is rare condition and can lead embarrassing intubation to anesthesiologists. Here, we reported a case of successful management in a patient with unexpected hidden vocal cords due to epiglottis adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity. Case: A 60-year-old female with no underlying disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo a left-cochlear implant operation. After the induction procedure (including intravenous injection of rocuronium), an epiglottic adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity and invisible vocal cords were confirmed. Although the first trial of intubation failed, the patient’s airway was successfully managed using a technique that combined a video-styletscope (Markstein Sichtec Medical Co., 5.0 mm ID) with a video-laryngoscope (Insighters ®, Cedrus Medical). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists may unexpectedly encounter asymptomatic abnormal airways with unknown causes. In such a situation, it is essential to establish a strategy and to select appropriate device according to patient circumstances.

Epiglottis abnormality is rare condition and can lead embarrassing intubation to anesthesiologists. Here, we reported a case of successful management in a patient with unexpected hidden vocal cords due to epiglottis adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity. Case: A 60-year-old female with no underlying disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo a left-cochlear implant operation. After the induction procedure (including intravenous injection of rocuronium), an epiglottic adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity and invisible vocal cords were confirmed. Although the first trial of intubation failed, the patient’s airway was successfully managed using a technique that combined a video-styletscope (Markstein Sichtec Medical Co., 5.0 mm ID) with a video-laryngoscope (Insighters ®, Cedrus Medical). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists may unexpectedly encounter asymptomatic abnormal airways with unknown causes. In such a situation, it is essential to establish a strategy and to select appropriate device according to patient circumstances.

Epiglottis abnormality is rare condition and can lead embarrassing intubation to anesthesiologists. Here, we reported a case of successful management in a patient with unexpected hidden vocal cords due to epiglottis adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity. Case: A 60-year-old female with no underlying disease was scheduled for general anesthesia to undergo a left-cochlear implant operation. After the induction procedure (including intravenous injection of rocuronium), an epiglottic adhesion to the posterior wall of the laryngeal cavity and invisible vocal cords were confirmed. Although the first trial of intubation failed, the patient’s airway was successfully managed using a technique that combined a video-styletscope (Markstein Sichtec Medical Co., 5.0 mm ID) with a video-laryngoscope (Insighters ®, Cedrus Medical). Conclusions: Anesthesiologists may unexpectedly encounter asymptomatic abnormal airways with unknown causes. In such a situation, it is essential to establish a strategy and to select appropriate device according to patient circumstances.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate differences in the anti-hepatitis A (HAV) antibody seropositivity rate by age and gender. Methods: We collected information on anti-HAV immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M status from samples submitted for HAV antibody testing in 2012–2022. A total of 1,333,615 cases were included in the analysis. Results: By age, the seropositivity rate was represented by a U-shaped curve, such that the rate was low for the group aged 20 to 39 years and higher in those who were younger or older. Over time, the curve shifted rightward, and the seropositivity rate declined gradually in the group aged 35 to 39 years and older. A gender-based difference in antibody seropositivity rate was especially noticeable in the group aged 20 to 29 years. This difference between genders widened in the participants’ early 20s—when men in the Republic of Korea enlist in the military—and the divergence continued subsequently for older individuals. Conclusion These results indicate a higher risk of severe infection among older individuals and a gender-based difference in seroprevalence. Therefore, it is necessary to implement policies to promote vaccination in adults.

Suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) have emerged as potential regulators of macrophage function. We have investigated mechanisms of SOCS3 action on type 2 macrophage (M2) differentiation induced by glucocorticoid using human monocytic cell lines and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Treatment of THP1 monocytic cells with dexamethasone (Dex) induced ROS generation and M2 polarization promoting IL-10 and TGF-β production, while suppressing IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 production. SOCS3 over-expression reduced, whereas SOCS3 ablation enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β induction with concomitant regulation of ROS. As a mediator of M2 differentiation, glucocorticoidinduced leucine zipper (GILZ) was down-regulated by SOCS3 and up-regulated by shSOCS3. The induction of GILZ and IL-10 by Dex was dependent on ROS and p38 MAPK activity. Importantly, GILZ ablation led to the inhibition of ROS generation and anti-inflammatory cytokine induction by Dex. Moreover, GILZ knock-down negated the up-regulation of IL-10 production induced by shSOCS3 transduction. Our data suggest that SOCS3 targets ROS- and p38-dependent GILZ expression to suppress Dex-induced M2 polarization.